I had one of those nights last night in which I didn't sleep very well. Actually, I woke up every hour.
I kept having weird dreams - dreams that were, no doubt, leftover from last night. We played maui (a card game - however you spell it) with some friends. It's basically crazy eights, but with a bunch of extra rules. Plus, when someone wins a round, they get to make a new rule, on top of the old ones. When you go on to the next round and forget any of the previous rules, you get cards thrown at you until you figure out what you did. Fun, but frustrating.
So I kept having dreams where I would be looking for 3's, 7's, etc. then worrying about the rules.
It occurred to me that as I got up, pretty tired, that I didn't sleep because of the game we played last night. I was feeling the effects of a fun night.
Then all these other memories of the last two weeks came running through my head, and the effects of them:
My right arm is sore from playing the Wii with some friends, and later renting the game ourselves.
I've gotten a headache in the last few days from laughing so hard.
My stomach has hurt as well from laughing so hard.
I am sure that I weigh more because of so much eating that has gone on with people the last couple of weeks.
I thought to myself that this is what I will remember from the holidays and time off this year. The people that we were blessed enough to spend time with, the fun that we had, and being 'sore' the next day.
So, to summarize - we're tired. We're sore.
We love it.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
2008 in review
I just took some time and read through my blog entries for 2008. I was pretty amazed.
Having never done a blog before, it was really nice to be able to look back and see what 2008 looked like for me. I noticed a trend though - I have had fewer posts these past few months than when I started. I'm going to try and blog more in 2009. It was invaluable for me to be able to look back and remember the year.
Here are the highlights:
Looking forward to what 2009 brings!
Having never done a blog before, it was really nice to be able to look back and see what 2008 looked like for me. I noticed a trend though - I have had fewer posts these past few months than when I started. I'm going to try and blog more in 2009. It was invaluable for me to be able to look back and remember the year.
Here are the highlights:
- Started a blog
- Had an amazing youth conference, “Re-Created”
- Collide worship band recorded 2 original songs
- Met my goal of reading at least 1 book/month
- Traveled to Washington DC with friends
- Met Mark Batterson – author, pastor
- Was inspired to start a coffee house that’s open for business during the day and have an auditorium built on that would function as a church on the weekends.
- Said 'see you soon' to our good friends, David & Jodi Eash as they made the move to Illinois, on their way to Wisconsin ultimately.
- Led worship (along with the other Youth leaders) for one night during Collide - the only time this year!(The kids are probably thankful for that)
- Read ‘Communicating for a change’ – transformed the way I prepare and deliver messages.
- Put our house on the market, only to take it off due to financial difficulties. Wondered what God was doing, discovered what He was doing 3 months later (when we decided to move back to Montana in 2009)
- Had countless Fridays going out of town spending time with my Wife (loved those days!)
- Held our 1st annual watermelon eating contest – watched people throw up from eating watermelon (we even got it recorded!)
- Kicked off the ‘We Are Family’ series – outstanding time for the church!
- Joined Twitter
- Joined Facebook
- Spent the fourth of July in Rockford, IL with David & Jodi.
- Bought a Wii, became a tennis & bowling pro (yes, that's a highlight)
- Through the 21 series, I established a ‘New Normal’ and began running. I ran 3.5 miles for the first time in my life.
- Welcomed my newest nephew, Trey Mitchell Redden, into the world.
- Had a great unexpected weekend in Chicago with friends before going back to MT for a couple weeks. (Why didn't Bob Evans have Ribs that night?)
- Spent 2 weeks with family & friends in MT
- Got a tattoo (that my oldest brother drew) to honor my parents
- Toured Gates of the Mountains
- Climbed MT Helena with the coolest kid I know (my brother Bridger)
- Had conversations that would ultimately affect the next several years of our lives
- Attended my first demo derby (there was even a Superman car there. He was horrible. He got creamed right away)
- For a date night, we had dinner by campfire in the backyard. Then our firepit exploded.
- Attended the LifeLinks Leadership conference in Medicine Hat. Got to meet up with old friends, as well as make new ones.
- Attended Catalyst One Day in Granger, IN. Got to see Andy Stanley and Craig Groschel in person. Learned so much that day.
- Made the decision to move to Montana in April 2009.
- Celebrated my 30th birthday in Chicago at Medieval Times
Looking forward to what 2009 brings!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Shopping Done?
Everyone knows what Black Friday is. Well what about Black Last-Weekend-Before-Christmas?
We went to Battle Creek today for a relaxing day out of town. Hit some stores, the mall, etc. It was absolutely crazy everywhere! People going nuts to get that last-minute gift.
But, I can't complain. With all the craziness that was Battle Creek, we did end up having a great day and we got all our shopping done - with 5 days to spare!
We went to Battle Creek today for a relaxing day out of town. Hit some stores, the mall, etc. It was absolutely crazy everywhere! People going nuts to get that last-minute gift.
But, I can't complain. With all the craziness that was Battle Creek, we did end up having a great day and we got all our shopping done - with 5 days to spare!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Medieval Times
So excited for this weekend! This morning we leave for Schaumburg, IL - home of Medieval Times! It's something I've wanted to do forever and Leslie has planned for us to make a weekend of it as we celebrate me turning the big 3-0.
Bring it on.
Bring it on.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
What's Next
Here is an update of some things coming up for Leslie & I.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbV-8HkTIEk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbV-8HkTIEk
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The Next 5
Last week we met together as a staff for some 'saturated' pancakes.
As we were all finishing up with our breakfast, we had the beginnings of a really good conversation.
The question was a philosophical one - what will the church (not just GCF but the church as a whole) look like in the next 5 years?
It really had me thinking for the rest of the week. So I thought that I would jot down a few things that I think are going to be critical for the church, as well as the people in it, in the next 5 years.
1. Transparency
Without a doubt, this is huge. One of the biggest problems in the church today is that people have hurts or issues they want help/counsel with, but they don't speak up because all they see is perfect people in the church. They end up thinking they're the only ones who are dealing with ___________.
If the church is going to grow and be a force to be reckoned with, we have to be willing to be real and transparent. Now I'm not talking about glorifying sin or being given license to sin, I'm just talking about being real, transparent & honest with each other. Because here's the truth - when we're transparent, it gives other people permission to do the same. If the church is going to be viewed as a safe haven, where all are welcome, transparency needs to be part of it's DNA.
2. Relationships
Can't stress this one enough. It's often been said that people will walk in the front doors of the church for the preaching (or the music or the _________), but they stay for three reasons - one of which is relationships.
I believe relationships are critical to every aspect of our lives. The church needs to be a breeding ground for relationships. Real, authentic relationships of people doing life together. Inclusive rather than exclusive. The people that you actually WANT to hang out with on a Friday night. People you count on for good conversations. People that watch your kids. That's what makes coming together on a Sunday morning so fun. The church needs to be a family, where there's always room for more.
3. Power of God
Let's face it - there are some big issues out there. People are ashamed of their past, are just 'surviving' in the present and are worried about their future. We are living in a time where one sermon ain't gonna cure our problems, and the latest self-help book won't make a dent. We've got significant questions and we need significant answers. More than any other time when I've been alive, I see people having an open mind, and legitimate need towards the supernatural side of God.
I think too often that which we fear imprisons us. We see so many things that make us apprehensive towards the things of God that we are willing to not even take a chance.
I can safely say that I was the same way. I had plenty of questions and I saw enough people to keep me out of the church for good. Then I got to a point in my life that I didn't have all the answers. I got to a point where I said, "ok, I'll check it out". I'm glad I did. I'm glad I didn't let that which I feared, imprison me. Because it was at that time that I decided to have an experience for myself that I encountered the supernatural side of God and my life hasn't been the same since.
Critics say that God is a crutch for weak-minded people. I can't change their opinion. But they can't change mine either. I would encourage such people to have an open mind and to walk with God for a bit and then tell me what the weak part is - I'd love to see it :)
4. Communicating for today
I love this topic. Simply put - the message can't change, but the packaging HAS to change.
Gone are the days when people sit and listen to a 2 hour sermon. It's a waste of time. Yep, I just said that. I believe it's a waste of time for the people listening and the person that prepared it. You might have some great revelation that God himself spoke to you, but if it's wrapped in the middle of a 2-hour long sermon, it's safe to assume your audience won't get it. The mind can only absorb what the butt can endure. Better to split up a talk that long into several messages. Sunday comes again next week, just like this week.
I believe that our job as leaders, especially those that communicating is part of their responsibility, is to present the Bible in a way that is honoring to God. Communicating in a way that is a catalyst for producinglife change in the people that are listening to it.
Personally, I'll use whatever method I can if it means that a person will understand the Bible more than when they came in. That means videos, movies, dramas, music (both secular and Christian), dance - whatever it takes for a person to have a love for the Bible, and ultimately, for God.
5. Growing & Going
I admit, that sounds a bit churchy, but for some reason I like it :)
I talked quite a bit about this in my last message at GCF. Again, simply put, it means we take responsibility for our faith and then we use the growth we are experiencing and share it with the world. That means that there is more to our spiritual walk than Sunday morning.
Here's a great quote I recently heard: "What you put in your mind eventually gets to your heart. And whatever is in your heart becomes your pursuit." Our spiritual growth needs to be what we are pursuing. Only 12% of people today attend church. That means statistically, your friends will have a spiritual conversation with you before they walk into a church.
We need to grow, and then go. It's vital.
Well I admit that got long, but those are the 5 that I see. I'd love to hear your comments and/or some trends that you see.
As we were all finishing up with our breakfast, we had the beginnings of a really good conversation.
The question was a philosophical one - what will the church (not just GCF but the church as a whole) look like in the next 5 years?
It really had me thinking for the rest of the week. So I thought that I would jot down a few things that I think are going to be critical for the church, as well as the people in it, in the next 5 years.
1. Transparency
Without a doubt, this is huge. One of the biggest problems in the church today is that people have hurts or issues they want help/counsel with, but they don't speak up because all they see is perfect people in the church. They end up thinking they're the only ones who are dealing with ___________.
If the church is going to grow and be a force to be reckoned with, we have to be willing to be real and transparent. Now I'm not talking about glorifying sin or being given license to sin, I'm just talking about being real, transparent & honest with each other. Because here's the truth - when we're transparent, it gives other people permission to do the same. If the church is going to be viewed as a safe haven, where all are welcome, transparency needs to be part of it's DNA.
2. Relationships
Can't stress this one enough. It's often been said that people will walk in the front doors of the church for the preaching (or the music or the _________), but they stay for three reasons - one of which is relationships.
I believe relationships are critical to every aspect of our lives. The church needs to be a breeding ground for relationships. Real, authentic relationships of people doing life together. Inclusive rather than exclusive. The people that you actually WANT to hang out with on a Friday night. People you count on for good conversations. People that watch your kids. That's what makes coming together on a Sunday morning so fun. The church needs to be a family, where there's always room for more.
3. Power of God
Let's face it - there are some big issues out there. People are ashamed of their past, are just 'surviving' in the present and are worried about their future. We are living in a time where one sermon ain't gonna cure our problems, and the latest self-help book won't make a dent. We've got significant questions and we need significant answers. More than any other time when I've been alive, I see people having an open mind, and legitimate need towards the supernatural side of God.
I think too often that which we fear imprisons us. We see so many things that make us apprehensive towards the things of God that we are willing to not even take a chance.
I can safely say that I was the same way. I had plenty of questions and I saw enough people to keep me out of the church for good. Then I got to a point in my life that I didn't have all the answers. I got to a point where I said, "ok, I'll check it out". I'm glad I did. I'm glad I didn't let that which I feared, imprison me. Because it was at that time that I decided to have an experience for myself that I encountered the supernatural side of God and my life hasn't been the same since.
Critics say that God is a crutch for weak-minded people. I can't change their opinion. But they can't change mine either. I would encourage such people to have an open mind and to walk with God for a bit and then tell me what the weak part is - I'd love to see it :)
4. Communicating for today
I love this topic. Simply put - the message can't change, but the packaging HAS to change.
Gone are the days when people sit and listen to a 2 hour sermon. It's a waste of time. Yep, I just said that. I believe it's a waste of time for the people listening and the person that prepared it. You might have some great revelation that God himself spoke to you, but if it's wrapped in the middle of a 2-hour long sermon, it's safe to assume your audience won't get it. The mind can only absorb what the butt can endure. Better to split up a talk that long into several messages. Sunday comes again next week, just like this week.
I believe that our job as leaders, especially those that communicating is part of their responsibility, is to present the Bible in a way that is honoring to God. Communicating in a way that is a catalyst for producinglife change in the people that are listening to it.
Personally, I'll use whatever method I can if it means that a person will understand the Bible more than when they came in. That means videos, movies, dramas, music (both secular and Christian), dance - whatever it takes for a person to have a love for the Bible, and ultimately, for God.
5. Growing & Going
I admit, that sounds a bit churchy, but for some reason I like it :)
I talked quite a bit about this in my last message at GCF. Again, simply put, it means we take responsibility for our faith and then we use the growth we are experiencing and share it with the world. That means that there is more to our spiritual walk than Sunday morning.
Here's a great quote I recently heard: "What you put in your mind eventually gets to your heart. And whatever is in your heart becomes your pursuit." Our spiritual growth needs to be what we are pursuing. Only 12% of people today attend church. That means statistically, your friends will have a spiritual conversation with you before they walk into a church.
We need to grow, and then go. It's vital.
Well I admit that got long, but those are the 5 that I see. I'd love to hear your comments and/or some trends that you see.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
My list
I talked on Sunday about my task list and how everything on it was very 'right now' sort of things.
As I look at my list today and for the upcoming weeks, it is very different. There's still some 'right now' tasks on there, but 80% of my tasks are all future-planning type stuff that either require me to organize or think creatively.
Love it!
As I look at my list today and for the upcoming weeks, it is very different. There's still some 'right now' tasks on there, but 80% of my tasks are all future-planning type stuff that either require me to organize or think creatively.
Love it!
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