My Weekend February 28 – March 01 2009

Thought I would check in. Since the last entry, I’ve celebrated birthdays (including my own), watched several wrestling matches (my boys – Will and Levi) and have launched a new sermon series called “Echoes of a Voice – Hearing God in the Everyday.”

Our community continues to feel the economic slowdown and we continue to think creatively as to how best to meet the needs that are in front of us.

I recently conducted a funeral for a 30 year old father of three. We continue to pray for the Bridegan family.

I am currently discipling new and growing Christians each week; leading a study for married couples called “Fireproof”; planning another sermon series for later in the year; getting ready to launch a brand new ministry at Stone’s Hill called “Celebrate Recovery” – for those with addictions, co-dependencies or chemical dependencies or just general life hang-ups. It’s about getting real with your need in a safe community of people.

I’ve spoken with several family members lately related to the birthdays and actually enjoyed visiting with Scott and Lynnette Stallings for a brief time in Greenwood, IN. The boys and myself attended the Indiana State High School wrestling championships in Indianapolis. It was a great year with many surprise upsets. (On my way home, I got stuck in a snow-bank in the middle of the road – the high winds created the snow drift). Donnette rescued me and we worked to get the car pulled out of it until about 2:30 AM on Sunday morning, Feb 22 (my birthday!)

Seeking Him and pursuing His wisdom in all things. Thanks for praying for us. Joey

my weekend december 20-21

We (Dot, Levi, and myself) wrapped up Christmas things on Saturday. Will went to a wrestling meet with his teammates, but didn’t wrestle this week. Megan had a boys basketball game to go to on Saturday evening. West Noble lost to Central Noble.

The temperature is -25 degrees with the wind chill. Thirty-seconds of direct wind to your face and your face is completely numb. It literally looked like an Alaskan terrain today driving down Sparta Lake Road, with the winter blast picking up what snow wasn’t frozen, and driving it across the cornfields. I’ve learned to dress in layers of three, to cover my head and exposed skin, and things usually go ok; but it is a little warm when I finally get to where I’m going, but I feel funny trying to peel my layers off in front of people.

I plan on visiting Donnette’s family over the holidays. The kids always look forward to seeing all of her family in the same place at one time.

Many have given us cookies and goodies. Evelyn Kreager made “buckeyes – peanut butter balls”, a pumpkin roll, and some praline trail-mix crunch. She assured me that Rachel Matson Coy received an equal amount of each (so she should be OK with this for now).

Dwayne and Marsha Patrick made some fantastic cookies for us and Tony Kreager brought some cookies Dixie made, which I just had for supper ;o).

There’s a couple of books I’ve been reading, one on natural law, the other on what makes Christianity the great belief system it is, especially in light of a new atheism that is gaining some momentum with todays modern student.

I will be transitioning to several new projects at the beginning of 2009, projects that stand to revolutionize our town and church.

I never cease to be amazed at the incarnation. Love… true love…

my weekend december 12-14

Friday, I put up a few more Christmas things, hung the wreath, and trimmed the doorway with greenery. I did a good bit of reading and filing and some household things. Donnette made this peanut butter popcorn that Kenda Miller made for us one time. Wow… it is simply irresistable.

We packed up our lunches for the all day wrestling tournement at Plymouth High School Friday evening. I had Will to the gym by 6:20 AM Saturday for a quick weight check. Will wrestled in the 103 pound group and came in second. He went 2-1 on the day with 2 pins and a close championship match that he lost 6-4. Me and Levi went to the meet together and enjoyed our talk. It was an all day deal and we got to talk to the wrestling coaches some and to Will between his matches. It’s amazing how good a ham sandwich or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich tastes at these all day things.

We watched Mr. Beans Holiday, a movie about how the guy always does everything wrong, yet somehow it always turns out OK. Sounds like life and all of our stories. We make all these wrong decisions in life and somehow God makes sure the story turns out OK. It speaks of this great hope – that a Someone is watching out for all our stories and begins at our mistakes and starts writing something new from there.

I continue to place ideas together for a series I’m calling “30 Days to Live.” I am also working on a series I’m calling “Echoes of a Voice.”

I never cease to be amazed at the genius of C.S. Lewis and his deep insight into spiritual things and his ability to weave that into story, particularly the Narnia stories. Our kids are really into them and I get to talk about the spiritual truths over dinner. Lewis sneaks truth in the back door, without you even knowing what he’s doing. Amazing.

Christmas, though filled with joy and hope, always seems to be a time when people feel life’s hurts the most. Somewhere in the sights and smells of a life gone sour in some manger place, a baby is found.

I continue to cast vision for the leaders of our community to offer solutions to these uncertain times. May these days prove to be a time when we together realize that there is nothing we can’t accomplish when we all work together.

I continue to touch base with friends and some family through Facebook. My hope is to see them all get on FB so that life can be shared with all in the simplicity of single place.

my weekend december 06-07

I did a wedding this weekend. It was a Christmas theme and the church was beautiful for this.

Will wrestled again and went 3-1 on the day with a 6-4 loss in overtime.

Levi spent the night with a friend and stayed up all night; he ended up sleeping on Saturday quite a bit.

Megan is busy with boys varsity basketball – helping to coach it and things.

Dot has not been feeling well but is starting to come around.

I have a funeral to do tomorrow and I get to wrap up a sermon series on James next weekend. The series is called “Anonymous” and it is about what happens when we live in an “anonymous place.” But, I am anxious to wrapp it up, as I have been studying this in-depth now for several weeks.

I continue to read like crazy. I am thinking of a new sermon series, but am still fleshing it out. It may be called “Echoes of a Voice”.

my weekend november 28-29

Thanksgiving Day was great with Dot’s great cooking, raking leaves, and being with family.

Ruger, our bull dog, sneaked and ate our homemade pumpkin pie and apple pie. His belly bulged too much and gave him away.

Will went to West Lafayette to wrestle with the varsity this week. He went 2-2 on the weekend. Levi and I went down, rented a room, and watched all the wrestling. Taylor Grim was there as well and ended up spending the night with Levi (we all had a block of rooms together).

my weekend november 22-23

On Friday, I took my family to see the musical drama, It’s a Wonderful Life. We should all stop to think, just like George Bailey, how life is better simply because we lived and loved and did our jobs well.

This and all the other musicals have become a favorite of mine at the Round Barn Theater. Because of some friends, we were able to take in the entire 2008 season of musicals. Plain and Fancy was probably my favorite.

My son Will began his freshmen wrestling season on Saturday. He’s 103 pounder and won three matches for the JV: 11-0, a pin, and 6-2 decisions. I think Levi, my 6th grader has decided to wrestle this year.

Megan is headed for IWU and scored a 26 on her ACT, which will help bring a little more financial assistance her way.

Donnette has been sick but is doing better. I stay busy with many, many ministry tasks.

november 7-9 weekend

What a weekend for Donnette. Dot did a highschool drama with Megan on Friday. She went to see the Oakridge Boys in concert with me and a couple of friends on Saturday. Then she went with a friend to see Wayne Watson on Sunday evening. She had such a great time.

I continue to read, study, write, and file. I am planning a new speaking series, a huge task.

I also have been meeting with many people in various capacities and life-stages; some I counsel, some I mentor, some I just befriend.

I continue to blog and interact with multiple bloggers on various issues related to spirituality.

In all of this, intimacy with Christ continues to be my constant pursuit.

Many things to do in this upcoming week, one of which is to attend a meeting in Indianapolis.

my weekend October 31-Nov.2

We visited with Donnette’s sister and husband. We played badmitten in the backyard, did Shipshewana, and caught up on each other’s lives a bit.

The election is imminent. It seems to hang over everything that we all are thinking about. But regardless what happens, each person can make a difference.

I continue to blog, read, and research. The topics of study are endless. My topics lately have focused on the existence of God and the absurdity of life without God. My sense is that Christians must become apologetics specialists in a post-everything world.

Speaking came easier today than previous weeks. The truth marches on.

Great family meal times, with much laughter and story-telling. Life, family, and sharing… of such is life.

My October 25-26 Weekend

Great weekend! Levi turned 12 so we ate out together Friday evening at Red Robin. They made him stand up in his seat so the staff could sing to him, which he thoroughly enjoyed, not to mention the ice cream too.

Saturday, we went to see Purdue play Minnesota at West Lafayette. The Gophers won and the Boiler makers looked complacent.

The boys really enjoyed being a part of the tail-gating experience with pickup football being played all over right up until game time.

I continue to touch base with many friends from the past, former parishioners, and fellow college students. Having lived in several places and worked in many churches, it’s nice to see all of these random contacts tied together in one place.

Speaking went a little easier today than previous weeks. I feel something stirs in spiritual places and we are beginning to prepare ourselves for this. Donnette sang today. She along with so many others are amplifying my themes beautifully.

My October 17-19 2008 Weekend

I performed a wedding this weekend.

I’ve spent some time setting up a laptop for the family to use – faster and more up-to-date. Levi and I listened to the Sox-Rays game on internet radio and found an online site that allowed us to watch the game for free while we listened to it. We even went to Yahoo Sports to check live stats of some of the players. Amazing info at our fingertips!

I walked with my wife, talked to my daughter about boyfriends and dating, and played some nerf football. Will wrestled with Ruger, cheap entertainment, especially when Ruger cops an attitude when he’s getting beaten (he bites harder and growls louder).

The fall leaves are nearing their peak and I love the cool, fall mornings.

I gave another talk at our gathering today. I found it hard to speak on my topic, but got through it and challenged the men to 30 days of sexual sobriety.

I’m working on an idea. I’ve been noting specific places in specific books that actually “lay me bare” – meaning that I’m just filleted by what I have read, thoughts that just open me up and expose some deep inner things that no one else knows about. These are deeply personal things, but things that I would like to write about and present on. Will continue to think about how to do this.

I have received several kind gestures lately, gifts that speak of appreciation.

I also watched the Bucket List, a movie about really living, despite impending death.