It's really funny. Jesus regularly ends his parables with the phrase, "He who has ears, let him hear..." (look in Matthew 13 for two examples). For me, this is really funny as I no longer have an hear to hear with. As a result of a really nasty ear infection, I can't hear out of one ear. I never valued the ability to hear until I lost it. I am hoping that it will return when the infection leaves and I will once again be able to listen without pain.

As I was contemplating how valuable my hearing is, I also began to think of how many other valuable things I take for granted. While I have literally lost my hearing, I have not figuatively lost it as referenced by Jesus. I still have been given the ability to read God's Word and listen to wisdom. I have been given a mind that can contemplate and discern God's desires, callings, and will. I am free to grow in knowing God. And for that, I give thanks.

We all can give thanks to God for the abundance of gifts we've been given. You have been blessed with life and love. God has promised you both of these. Although we have been given many others, these two alone are well worth our gratitude. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, even when allowing pesky ear infections. God Bless.

As I look out my office window, I see one tree that looks on fire. The leaves have changed to a glorious red as they grasp for their last stand against the cold that has come. The book of Ecclesiastes tells of how there is a time for this change. 3:1 says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven". As I think of this, I am reminded of how life changes. Though the current season may be difficult, there is a new one that will come. And eventually, the season we find will be beyond this world. That is the hope that Jesus gives us. God Bless and may this season be filled with hope.

Storms are so neat. To watch them from afar is really to sit in awe. However, when it's engulfed you, they can be downright scary. As the walls of the house creek with the wind and the thunders shakes the ground, it's more a challenge than anything to keep your head. Storms can do lots of damage but there is always that calm that comes after surviving one. Once on the other side, things are all good. The challenge is surviving in the moment of fierce onslaught. Jesus tells us that in order to survive the storms of life, we need to build our lives upon the rock of God's Word. "The rain cam down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." (Matthew 7:25).

Next week, Bethany begins setting aside time for us to together look at the rock, God's Word. Tuesday night at 6:30 pm we'll have a time at Mucho Mas in LaPorte, IN (on Lincolnway) for high school youth and then another time on Thursday morning at Rocky Mountain Cafe at 6:30 am. Join us and let's together work to build on a rock that will weather any storm.

There are wooden cut-outs of white lambs all over a desk in my office. The lady with whom I share an office has been working on painting them for a project in our nursery. These lambs represent Jesus; peaceful, cuddly, and calm. The other animal most famously used to represent Jesus is a lion. If you're familiar with the character of Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia stories, then you've seen Jesus depicted as this strong, ferocious, and powerful being. In our world today, Jesus is both of these things. He brings power in that we're told that through him, we can accomplish great things. Jesus is also the lamb that willingly came to sacrifice himself so that peace may reign. With each day, let us remember the Lion and the Lamb, seeking Jesus for what he his and what he offers us.

I am right now in the midst of coaching some young men in the game of soccer. As I was watching a match earlier this summer, I ran into a story of this one particuar player, Kaka, from Brazil. He's pictured above. He's regarded as one of the top three "footballers" in the world. After each match, he takes off his team's jersey to reveal a message of faith. On his undershirt, he has written a message of faith. For a long time, the message was that "I Love Jesus". Now he's keen on declaring himself as one of Jesus' belongings, faithfully proclaiming his alliance to the Savior, Jesus Christ. While most of us don't get the opportunity to declare our faith in such a setting as a packed out stadium, we need to be bold when given the opportunity to share our faith to those we do meet. When Jesus instructs us to "go and make disciples of all nations", he means not only the massive crowds, but also those close to us who have yet to know God's saving power through Jesus. Let's be bold for God.

I've had this song stuck in my head all day. As I was driving this morning, it came on and though I had heard it before, I never really stopped to think about it. The singer is telling of how he's felt like God's not always been with him. But, at his time of desperate need, God finds him. I've got to think that God finds us all when we're in need. I hope that this livens your day and makes you stop to think of where God finds you.

CHRISTMAS 365
 
In 2009 Bethany is LIVING OUT Christmas every day! 365 days of opening the best free gift ever... the gift of God's love given to us in Jesus.

The Wii and the iPod Touch or iPhone are definitely awesome 2008 gifts... maybe they even will be in 2009, but what about in 2059? Will anyone even know what a iPhone is? By then we'll have iEars completely equipped with total gaming, communication, thought sensing tools that are completely invisible! But, likewise, the iEar will mean nothing in 2099!

As a GIFT... Jesus rocks! Why do we go around giving gifts at Christmas? Because God so loved the world that he gave His only Son... remember that verse in the Bible. Giving is a reflection of God's love for us. It isn't about getting or giving the coolest gift ever... we cannot compete. It is about showing love. Jesus was a gift for all of us! As a gift, you cannot open up Jesus and be disappointed. Jesus saves. Jesus heals. Jesus loves. Jesus is happy. Just think of him dancing, laughing, loving and serving. It makes you smile. Also, you never forget this gift. Love him or leave him... which when we rebel we often do... Jesus stays in your heart, your mind. You will never forget Jesus.

For 2009 remember... the FREE GIFT FOR EVERYONE is Jesus. Be aware of whats happening and whats needed around you and give, like Jesus gave. The gift of YOU and your time to others is something that can and will make a difference in this community with CHRISTMAS 365.

I ran into this video a long time ago. It's about a father / son team that compete in marathon's and triathlon's. The kicker is that the Dick (the father) pushes or pulls Rick (his son) as Rick's not able to walk. It's pretty inspiring to see this father's love for his son. He puts his body through intense training for the purpose of giving his son the exhiliration of completing a task most well-abled people couldn't. That's a great sacrifice.

Last week we had a lesson over Mark 2 where four friends carry their paralyzed friend to Jesus for healing. When they get to where Jesus is, the place is packed and they can't get through the door. They cut a hole in the roof through which they lower their friend so that he can get to Jesus. Their devotion, devotion enough to carry the man across town, devotion enough to not give up when the path is obstructed, devotion enough to cut a hole in the roof and lower their friend down, is what allows healing to take place.

Sometimes in life, I find myself being like Dick or the friends and other times I am much more like Rick or the paralyzed friend. In some places, I can provide for someone while other times, I need to be provided for. As we walk in this world, we have to learn to embrace both circumstances as they occur being thankful for our ability to help others and grateful that we have those in our lives that so willingly provide in our times of need.

STREETBRAND Online Magazine
A group of twenty-something Christians help in producing STREETBRAND, a Christian youth culture magazine.

Written for both girls and guys, STREETBRAND is the resource for every Christian teen and youth looking for a fired up relationship with Christ and a well balanced youth experience at the same time.

This site is definitely worth a look!