A Stream of Stretching Thoughts from a Full Brain

I ran into a friend last night at Hannah’s winter orchestra concert.  He asked me how the blog was going.  I explained it was a challenging month.  My traffic has generally been rising the past several months.  I’ve been very consistent in blogging daily during the week.  But this month has been a little different.  I’ve been extremely busy with work and family activities.  I set out on at the beginning of the month intent on writing an advent post every day between December 1st and December 25th in addition to my normal blogging.  I sometimes think I may have bitten off more than I could chew.  My intention is right, but my schedule is swamped with things that have to be a priority.

I’m excited for the holidays.  I’m hoping this will be an opportunity to recharge, refocus, and reclaim my schedule.  I intend to use the next two weeks to recast my vision for 2014.  I’m excited for what is coming my way.

I took the day off from work today, and it was great!  I was able to sleep in a little bit, get a nice long run in, and spend the morning with my wife.  This afternoon, I made chicken sausage and dealt with a couple of work related calls and e-mails.  I picked up my daughter from track practice.  And I’m enjoying a few minutes to myself this evening while Leanne makes cookies, Hannah works on homework, and Isaac practices ping-pong for our big match in a few minutes.  It’s been a good day!

Sometimes writing is a stream of thoughts flowing from a mind full and a calendar crowded.

Today, I simply want to remind you to be joyful and to be thankful.  Don’t forget to sign-up for the 90 Day Thank You Note Challenge!  Click here for more details.

How was your day today?

ADVENTure Day 18

Weeping May Come For A Night But Joy Comes In The Morning

Let’s face it. There are things in this world that get us down.

It can be a challenge to find joy in our lives when our car is broken down. Or when we’re dealing with broken relationships. Or when we’re sick or someone we know and love is fighting for their lives. Or when we lose our job. Or when we can’t pay our bills.

I could go on and on. Joy is often the farthest thing from our minds when we are going through things like this.

But here is the exciting thing…are you ready?

We are promised joy!

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalms 30:5 NLT)

And this is what Advent is all about. We may deal with the “crap” of life…things will make us weep, doubt, and even shake our head or fist. But there is good news.

Christ is coming back!

There will be indescribable joy when this happens. This is something worth looking towards.

ADVENTure Activity: Think of five things you are looking forward to in the next year. How will these things bring you joy?

ADVENTure Question: Why are you weeping today?

A Letter To Me – Note From Guatemala (2012)

This week, I received a letter from me.  It’s a note I wrote to myself the day before I left Xenacoj, Guatemala for the first time (in 2012).  It’s interesting to read my thoughts in this letter.  The letter really only scratches the surface on the reflections I’ve had since leaving Xenacoj the first time and returning again last summer.  Here’s the letter:

Dear Jon,

When thinking back to all of the incredible things God did during my trip to Xenacoj, Guatemala with Adventures Youth (and RIOT Missions), I stand amazed.

What an experience it was!  I couldn’t stop laughing when Spencer (Ware) shared his funny stories.  And you’ll never believe me when I tell you about the time when we built a home for a family in just 2 1/2 days.

This experience wasn’t just new places and faces, God showed up in huge ways.  My favorite part about ministry was sharing and praying with locals and I will never forget the way their openness impacted me so much.  I especially loved the time we were able to bless Zuli’s family by building a home and giving her family paint for their new house.

This week, the rhythm of my life was interrupted.  I learned to connect with God by avoiding distractions.  The big groups and devotions helped me discover that I have a unique sound and story.  In the wavelength of my life’s experiences, my highs and lows, I can see how God is involved in my life.  During this trip, I saw God in key moments like the time we returned from dedicating Zuli’s house.

Being empowered to access the kingdom and hear God’s voice, I learned sharing our faith is simply a matter of offering prayer and a hand of help to those in need.

Something I never knew about myself until this experience is kids (teenagers) actually look up to me (and not just because I’m tall).  The biggest thing I learned about God and His character is He speaks to me.  Because of Xenacoj, I will never live life the same way as before.

The world is waiting and it’s time I amplified the messages I hear from the Lord, time to proclaim my story.  And it’s not just enough to amplify.  After this week, I realize the need to reverberate; I must keep moving again and again, allowing the voice of God to echo through my own story.

Jon

A missions trip of this type is pretty powerful.  It stretches you in ways you could never fully imagine.  This initial trip which was spurred by a question from a friend and a leap of faith has led to significant life change.  My family has been forever changed.  And I’m convinced we can help other individuals and families to experience this same type of life change.  Xenacoj left a huge mark – a STRETCH mark – on me.

Our family is in the process of planning a return trip to Xenacoj in 2014.  We would love to have you join us.  I can’t promise it will be easy.  I can’t promise it will be comfortable.  I can’t promise you’ll have the exact same experience as I have had so far.  But I can promise this – you will be stretched.  You will be wrecked (in a good way).  And you will be forever changed.

How does that make you feel?  Scared?  Excited?  Inspired?  Encouraged?  Unaffected?  Really how does the thought of joining me and my family on a missions trip to Xenacoj, Guatemala make you feel?

What are you waiting for?  What will it take for you to go?

Seriously, if this is something you are interested in pursuing.  Please leave a comment or reach out to me.  Let’s talk!

Cody and Claus

Santa paid a visit to Puppy Club tonight. Somehow Cody made the nice list. We are thinking there must have been some sort of mix up.

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ADVENTure Day 16

On Saturday, Leanne and I were out finishing up some Christmas shopping when we ran into Santa Claus.  We had seen him earlier in the day at Wegmans (our local grocery store), so we were surprised to see him again at a different store several miles away.  We have not done the whole “Santa thing” for our kids.  Before you call me a Scrooge, I hope you’ll listen to my story.

At the second store, Santa was talking to a little boy.  The conversation went something like this:

Santa:  “Hello, what is your name, little boy?”

Little Boy:  “My name is Billy.  I talked to you this week on the phone.  My Mom helped me call you.”

Santa:  “Oh, yes.  I remember.  It’s great to meet you in person, Billy.  Have you been a good boy?”

Little Boy:  “Yes.  I’ve been a good boy, Santa.”

Santa:  “Well, this is good to hear.  I know you told me on the phone, but what is it you want for Christmas?  I forgot, and I want to make sure I have it right on my list.”

The conversation went on for a couple more minutes before the little boy rejoined his father at the check-out.  The boy was grinning from ear to ear, and so were many of the customers who had just witnessed this conversation.

This little interaction got me thinking.  Those who dress up as Santa Claus at Christmas time have a big responsibility.  They represent the hopes and dreams of little boys and girls all over the world.  The Santa at this store did a great job carrying the expectations of this little boy.  And it was incredible to see the joy on his face following this conversation.

As Christians, we have a big responsibility as well.  We represent Christ and other Christ followers to a lost and broken world.  People will often decide to pursue Christ based on the actions of Christians.  Are they (are we) real?  Do they (do we) represent the message of Christ with integrity?  Do we give people a reason to expect great things?  Just as this store version of Santa has an important legacy to represent to kids who come into his store, we have a very important legacy and message to represent to everyone.  Let’s take this responsibility seriously, and let’s represent Christ well.

ADVENTure Activity:  Make a list.  In your opinion, who represents Christ well?  What have they done to be included on your list?

ADVENture Question:  What is something you can do today to represent Christ well?  Why do you think this is important when you think about Advent and Christmas?

The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.  Proverbs 10:28

ADVENTure Day 15

Today is the third Sunday of Advent.  Many churches will be switching their focus to JOY.

Last weekend, our family watched National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.  Joy isn’t the first word that comes to mind when I think of this movie.  The movie is more about dysfunctional family humor most of us can relate to in one way or the other.  There is however a scene in the movie when Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) bursts out in a “stirring” rendition of Joy to the World as he gets ready to plug in the outdoor Christmas lights for the family.  If you remember the scene, Clark has worked for hours attaching lights to every square inch of his house.  He staples them to the roof.  He staples them to the gutters.  He wraps them around the chimney.  He wants to make sure the Griswold family has the best Christmas ever, and part of this includes have the brightest house in the neighborhood.  After hours and hours of labor, he is ready for the “house lighting ceremony” with his family.  And this is when he begins.to sing.  Clark is so excited to show off the fruits of his labor.  Perhaps, Joy to the World is the best way he had to express his joy and expectation as he prepared to light the house.

It’s my understanding Joy to the World was not actually written as a Christmas hymn.  It was an expression of thoughts by Isaac Watts after he read Psalm 98.  The song was written in expectation of Christ’s second coming.  ADVENTure is all about expectation.  Do we have our expectations centered in the right place?  Do our expectations cause us to well up with joy?  These are questions worth pondering today.

ADVENTure Activity:  Think about a time when you were expecting something.  What were your feelings and emotions during this time?  Tell someone about your experience.  Feel free to share in the comments.

ADVENTure Question:  During this Christmas season, what are you expecting?  What gives you joy?

Sing to the Lord a new song,
    for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
    have worked salvation for him.
The Lord has made his salvation known
    and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
He has remembered his love
    and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
    the salvation of our God.

Korv Stage 6

Korv Stage 6 – The Korv is cooling after boiling in water/chicken broth for 10 minutes. The clean up is done. The links will be cut and the sausage will be placed in freezer bags for safe keeping until Christmas. Then they will be thawed and baked until golden brown. They are great served with lingonberry jam.

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Korv Stage 5

Korv Stage 5 – The sausage is linked and waiting for the water to boil. Time to clean up!

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Korv Stage 4

Korv Stage 4 – Stuffing the casings. So far, we are having a great night… The casing hasn’t broken yet!

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Korv Stage 3

Korv Stage 3 – Potatoes and onions have been through the grinder. We added the seasonings. Now, it’s time to mix with the meat. Meanwhile, the casings are soaking.

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