Making Tents?

I am in Minneapolis currently at a Tentmakers training. Many wonder what actually is happening up here, am I really learning how to make tents? The answer to that question is, "no". Tentmakers is a training institute where I am putting together a professional ministry plan, and a personal ministry plan. Today we spent alot of time on decision making and the proper steps in making a good decision. The one thing that stuck out to me is it helps to write down the choices and the criteria you are using to make your decision. I many times just make the decision and move on without really establishing criteria and looking at possible choices based on that criteria.
The other thing that has stuck out to me this week is how much I miss being home. I enjoy the time I spend every night with my family and the unexpected run-ins with students and their families while we are out and about. My family and JOLT family mean the world to me and I am excited to get home to see them all again soon.

Fire Cantata

I am probably the world's worst blogger, since I have not added anything since November. That will all change when I have Internet in my home. Which needs to happen in the next week, since we are hopefully getting a computer for the house.

This past Wednesday our youth praise band, The Fire at 4th and State put on a Christmas cantata. It was Todd Agnew's "Do You Hear What I Hear?" It has 11 songs written from the different points of view of those associated with the Nativity. It was a very meaningful night for all who attended. I know for certain that I didn't have a dry eye most of the night. There are probably apologies owed to those around me who had to listen to me singing along with the tunes. The music of Christmas is powerful. To think that our God sent his one and only Son to earth to live and die for us is incredible. As I work on sermons for this weekend and Christmas Eve, I am constantly reminded about the real meaning of the season. Please join us here at Grace Church this weekend and on Christmas Eve at 4:30 as we explore salvation through Christ! That is the best gift of all.

A Historical Night

What an incredible evening in the history of our country. It was neat to watch the reactions of so many people on the election of Obama as our next president. I must admit when he first announced and started his campaign I wondered if our country would elect an African-American as president. Our country has such an awful history of hatred and violence towards blacks. You could see the joy on the faces of many African-Americans in the crowd last night in Grant Park as president-elect Obama gave his speech.

We definitely need a leader to come and help to clean up the mess that is our country right now. Obama seems to be that leader. His ability to reach out and bring people in is exactly what is needed currently. I appreciate his knowledge of history, and I think that the world will stand up and take notice as to what has happened here. We will all look back one day and remember exactly how we felt when we heard that Obama was elected president and I hope we don't soon forget the civil rights activists who risked so much to bring our country to a point where this could happen.

Election Day

Today is Tuesday November 4th, and I would imagine most bloggers are writing about their experiences today. I took advantage of early voting and did my civic duty last Thursday. It is very encouraging to see how many folks are out and about already this morning voting and it appears that turnout will be at a record high. Personally, I am very excited because there are a couple of teens in the youth group here who will be voting for the first time today! I still remember the first Presidential election I participated in. It was President Clinton's first election as he challenged the incumbent President Bush (sr.) The opportunity to vote is not something that we can take for granted, nor is it something to take lightly. There are many countries around the world today who do not have the opportunity to take part in their countries governmental proceedings and I encourage all of you to get out and vote today!

Can a Rock be hungry?

Yesterday I had the chance to spend hiking around Starved Rock. I never knew why it was called that, but I learned yesterday. Interesting. Starved Rock State Park derives its name from a Native American legend of injustice and retribution. In the 1760s, Pontiac, chief of the Ottawa tribe upriver from here, was slain by an Illiniwek while attending a tribal council in southern Illinois. According to the legend, during one of the battles that subsequently occurred to avenge his killing, a band of Illiniwek, under attack by a band of Potawatomi (allies of the Ottawa), sought refuge atop a 125-foot sandstone butte. The Ottawa and Potawatomi surrounded the bluff and held their ground until the hapless Illiniwek died of starvation- giving rise to the name “Starved Rock.” See, I told you it was interesting.
What is truly amazing about being in a place like that is the natural beauty. Our God is so incredible. Being around His creation is inspiring and makes me continue to wonder why he chooses to love us like he does. He loved us all so much that he sent His Son to die on the cross for us! There is no greater love than that. As you see our earth's natural beauty, thank God for it, and thank Him for loving you too.