Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Birthdays

Yesterday was my birthday. Birthdays are a good time to reflect on what you have accomplished in the past and what you hope to accomplish in the future. I am blessed to have a wonderful wife and kids. I am also blessed to have the opportunity to serve the Lord in one of the most beautiful places on earth!

As I look back, I realize that I have made a lot of mistakes, but I have also done a lot of good. I wish I could have done more, but obviously that isn't possible. As I look to the future, I am excited about the fact that Amy will be completing her time at PTS and will be shortly after that finishing her time at Rutgers. I can't wait to have a counselor I really know to refer people to!

I have been richly blessed in my life, and I trust that as you rely on the Lord in your life, you too, will be richly blessed!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Matt Ziesel's Touchdown Run

Matt Ziesel's Touchdown Run was something unexpected and special.

The Maryville Spoofhounds could have shut out the St. Joseph Cardinals 46-0 in last week's game. Instead, they let the other team score a touchdown.
They did nothing to stop freshman running back Matt Ziesel from running more than 60 yards to put the Cardinals on the scoreboard. Cardinals Coach Dan McCamey asked the Spoofhounds for their cooperation because Ziesel, 15, has Down syndrome and spent the entire season on the bench -- begging the coach to let him get some action on the field.

Hats off to both teams for showing classy levels of sportsmanship and compassion. The rival high schools are about 42 miles apart. Both are north of Kansas City near the Missouri/Kansas border.

The Cardinals still lost the game but won a lot more. (This info is from a Tom Henderson post).

Sportsmanship is getting harder to find every season and I believe that this is the type of story that deserves more attention. I agree with Mister Henderson, Hats off to both teams. wouldn't it wonderful is Christians treated the weaker brother or sister with the same type of compassion? Don't you think it is time to find out? I do!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Fall Is Here!

Well, maybe not officially, but the weather has definitely gotten a chill to it! Football games are being played, school has started, so I think we can call it fall. With fall comes new beginnings. Sunday School starts back as well as choir and Bible studies. I love the weather and the excitement of the new beginnings.

This fall has an additional new beginning. Rebecca (my middle step-daughter) is getting married! We have be frantically planning and preparing for the big event. The excitement begins today when Amy's parents get to town and ends on the 26th with the wedding.

My prayer for Rebecca and Jason are that they are half as happy in their marriage together as I am with Amy. Amy is truly the most wonderful wife in the world and makes me a better man and pastor.

So, fall is here with all of the excitement that it brings. Get out there and enjoy it!

Monday, September 7, 2009

Puppy Sitting

Well, it has been a while since I last posted. I have been puppy sitting Amy's puppy while she was finishing her Exegesis Ordination Exam. I found out how spoiled I was with Kizzy. She is a dream to take care of--Calvin--not so much! Young puppies need constant attention. They are always tying to get into something! Even as they are being trainied, mistakes happen. The one up side is that they are so darn cute!

One of the things I learned while I was taking care of Calvin was how much help Kizzy was with the process. many times, when Calvin was "stepping out of line" Kizzy would jump in and take care of it! Kizzy knows the ropes and therefore she was doing her best to help Calvin as he adjusted to life in the Florence household.

That is a picture of the church. While the pastor has a lot to do in training young Christians, it is important for all members to do their part in "training" young Christians. That is done mainly through example and sometimes by simply talking to the new person. Now I don't mean that we are to "force" young Christians into any type of mold, but I do mean that there are times that they need to be instructed on what is the right way to act and to the right way to interact.

If the Church had a few more Kizzy's working in her midst, I believe it would be a better, happier place! If you are a mature Christian, make it your goal to mentor a new person ASAP! Mentoring is not just good for the one being mentored, it is good for the mentor as well. So, look around and get busy!