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Talk about a sucker punch!

I surrender all...today

I was listening to a song by Above the Golden State called "Sound of Your Name" and this line popped out at me:

The plans we made were bound to stumble Only you remain...

So often we make plans that we want to happen. So often those things never happen or what happens don't remotely resemble what we had in our minds. Things change...people change. I find it kind of funny to think back to when I was in college 5 years ago and what I had planned on my 5 year goal list. I don't have that but I bet it looked something like: I want to be a pastor...be married and have kids. Thats it...interesting huh? Never would I have imagined how much I've learned and finding the love of my life right beside me. The kid thing is...well...part of the story yet to be written.

As I was watching a sermon online today the pastor was talking about our passions and what would we do if we knew we wouldn't fail. It hit me that I don't do a lot of things and plan things that I know that I can't do. I plan things that I have control over and know that I have the ability to do. This isn't the Christian life. This is the life of most Christians who when you ask them how they are doing they reply with their latest sad story about this or that and let you know that they are"here" or that "the bills are getting paid". Did Christ die for that? So that we could pay the bills or just be here? Doesn't John 10:10 tell us that Christ came so that we could have an abundant life?

I am realizing lately that I have misunderstood the song I surrender all. For the longest time I thought it was about a moment in time where you announce or proclaim that you have given everything to Christ. While that might be part of it, it is much more of a daily process that too many of us forget. We need to surrender the small things...the things that we don't think are that big...the times when we decide against something that is God-sized and do something that is our-sized.

Mark Batterson said that he wanted to do less things in ministry and life that he could take credit for and do more things that only God could take credit for. That is what I want...that is what all Christians should want. A life that is God-sized, worthy of the calling that God has placed on our lives. Not a calling that requires you to be in the ministry or a missionary. Rather a calling to live out your life, no matter the field, for the GLORY of God. Still, too often we find ourselves just getting by and we don't reach for the God-sized things. We fail to surrender all...we only surrender some. Today and every day forward that simply is just not good enough.

The plans we make that are our-sized rather than being God-sized ARE bound to stumble and fail.

May we all reach for things that are beyond our reach and plans that only a God like our God could accomplish!

Perspective

Who is Jesus to you?

I watched a sermon online today and it was talking about perspective and how it affects us. Automatically things and songs began popping into my head about my perspective right now.

1. My Jesus by Todd Agnew talks about which Jesus do we follow. Is it the one who is seemingly after the America dream? Does he pretty blue eyes, curly brown hair and a clear complexion? Or is it the one who was battered and scarred for our sins?

The last few Christmas's I have been thinking a lot about why he came rather than about the baby in the manger. It was incredible that he came so weak and so powerless. I love to be reminded of the stories but often times, like in the movie "Talladega Nights" we sometimes stop and have warped pictures of who Jesus really is. In that movie Ricky Bobby prays to "baby Jesus" and they all go around the table saying how they like to see Jesus. That is what the American Church has done due to the consumerist culture that we live in. We turn Jesus into something specific that we need rather than him being all we need. We perceive him to be an avenue to get to where we want to go, rather than being "THE Way, The Truth and The Life"!

2. Chris Tomlin sings a song "God of this City" and it talks about how God is not done working...a line in the song goes "greater things have yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city". Wherever you are right now...don't miss God moving...maybe it is in the small things or maybe you are too close to see what he is doing. Take the time this Christmas season to look around and notice God's hand moving...changing and shaping the world around you!

3. The video above has really hit me in the face. I need to give more relationally and be aware of those around me...everyday...those people that I miss and that need to be noticed!

Advent Conspiracy

Jellyland update 12.2.08

Hey...here's a top ten list of what's going...or has happened or is going to happen in the Jellison home



10. I am loving me some Swiss Miss hot chocolate right now! There is NO BETTER hot chocolate anywhere than Swiss Miss!

9. We had a great Thanksgiving week. We went down to Anderson on Wednesday and played some ball with the guys and Sarah went shopping with her friend from college. We went to Buffalo Wild Wings (like 20 ppl!) and then went back to mom's and got in the hot tub! Thursday Kerry and his girlfriend and her kids, and Peggy came over to Elwood for food and some Hold 'Em! Great times...I got to hang out with Ben too!

8. I got a new phone but...I lost my old phone and all the phone numbers! So...if you would call me or text me with your number that would be wonderful (if you want to :) ) ...it is amazing when I think about how few numbers that I have memorized because of the lack of needing to!

7. Sarah bought me Indiana Basketball tickets for my birthday to go to the December 6th game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis...that is this saturday and I cannot wait!

6. Sarah and I went on a date yesterday to Pottery Schmottery in Elkhart and painted a piece of pottery and then they glaze it and magic... pics will follow when we get our pieces! then we went to chili's and had some great food....great date!

5. I am addicted to playing Scrabble...I cannot get enough of it!

4. We are going to put up the tree today...pray for us!

3. I had a nostalgic moment yesterday trying to find some christmas music and remembered listening to Kenny and Dolly's Christmas album...anyone still have that (EHM...mom?) with the song, "I'll be home with bells on" ? My dad ended up hating that song because we played it so much...good times!

2. We all have favorite Christmas songs...I like the one listed above and O Holy Night and The Chipmunks "Christmas Don't be Late" ...what about you? What's your favorite Christmas song(s)?

1. I am so thankful for the family that I have and the changes that have happened over the past year. I am so thankful for Sarah and her family and our friends...be thankful for whats around you now so that you won't miss it twice! Once now and then again later when you wish you had it back

Crazy Dog From The Soup.

My 300th Post!!!! Youth Group Thanksgiving Dinner

Last night we had our annual youth group thanksgiving dinner. It went off great and it was a great time of being together with each other! I am so thankful for this group of kids that I get to work with! Thank you to Sarah who did so much! I love you and Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a great bite!

Catalyst One Day

Last Thursday I was able to attend the Catalyst One Day event at Granger Community Church with my good friends Bryan Donaugh and Ryan Van Matre. It was a challenging day that has given me confidence in many areas of my life. God really worked on my heart and challenged me. Steve Fee led worship and I got my pic taken with him! He is my FAVORITE worship leader out there today...he is amazing! Also, Craig Groeschel and Andy Stanley spoke amazing things into my life! Here are some pics:

Christ in Christmas- December newsletter article

We've all heard the old rant that goes something along the lines of "don't let people take Christ out of Christmas" and all the soapboxers talking about people and what they are turning Christmas into. It bothers me that people who represent the church are often times known for what they are against and what they do not allow rather than being known for what they are for and what they are all about! I'm going to let you in on a secret...there is only one person who can take Christ out of your Christmas: It's YOU!
There are a lot of things that pull us and demand our attention during this season and too often we let them become the focus. Plays, musicals, family get-togethers, traveling to all these things and many more things that are really good parts of this season and should be priorities high on your list. However, if they are ahead of remembering the real reason behind the Christmas holiday there is only one person responsible for that. So this Christmas take the time to stop often during the madness and remember the age old story of salvation and love and sacrifice that was born in a lowly manger. Take the time to realize that God loves you so much and you are worth the sacrifice of sending His only Son to earth. Take the time to share what you have realized and come to believe about Christ. That is what Christmas is all about. Christ will never be taken out of your Christmas unless you forget what Christmas is.

Brandon Heath -

This is my prayer today...

Vacation

Hey all...Vacation was great! Here is a few tidbits:

1. We slept in (mainly Sarah) every day and then woke up and ate breakfast for lunch.

2. We went to Caribou Coffee pretty much every day and played Scrabble and Ingenious and then read some while just relaxing

3. We went and watched Fireproof. It was better than what I expected and the message is one that every married couple or couple that is thinking about getting married should hear.

4. Lake Geneva is beautiful but there isn't alot to do for the average folk

5. Sarah was getting whipped by me in Scrabble at the beginning of the week but she turned the tables at the end.

6. We did a whole bunch of nothing and it was exactly what we needed! It was nice not to have a plan or something that NEEDED to be done.

7. We celebrated my 27th birthday on Sunday and then our 3rd anniversary on Wednesday...we always have a blast together no matter what we are doing

8. We couldn't figure out how to spell that big long word from the movie Mary Poppin's ...how do you spell it?

9. Wisconsin has some weird street lights...they are on the sides rather than being overhead. Also, the streets in Lake Geneva had crazy angles and you had to pay to park...keep your cheese I'll take my basketball

10. I love doing anything and nothing as long as I'm with Sarah...

Target Lady from SNL

I love this skit!

Brooke Fraser - Shadowfeet

To all those who think that the world is ending...this song is for you. Listen to the chorus when everything is through we are found in Him! Be encouraged, God is still close by

Weekly update

Hey...just wanted to update before we ...


1. Go on vacation! We are going to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. So excited to be able to get away for a while. This is an anniversary trip disguised to look like a vacation or something... oh well...Pics to follow...

2. My birthday is coming up this sunday...and I cannot wait for my birthday present from Sarah (IU tickets to a game at Lucas Oil Stadium December 6th!).

3. Our anniversary is a week from tomorrow. 3 years already...I'm amazed at the love that God has given Sarah and I and cannot wait to see what tomorrow, let alone the rest of our lives, will bring! I love you Sarah!

4. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas so we can see the family. It is really hard when you don't live close to your family and you are in the ministry to see family that often. We miss them.

5. I'm trying to learn the piano...but it isn't nearly as easy teaching piano to yourself as it was guitar...ugh

6. I love it when you hear an old song that you haven't heard and it brings back some awesome memory that you had forgot about. Here's to old songs!

7. Do grown-ups (over 22) still make Christmas and birthday lists? Do you? I don't...but if I did I would put a new mp3 player on it...one that you can charge with a cpu rather than buying batteries all the time

8. What is up with the weather? I thought I saw snow on the ground last week and now it is in the 70's? C'mon...one or the other...don't play with me!

9. Does it seem to anyone else that time is just flying by? I cannot believe that it is November and that I'll be 27 next week! Wow...

10. IU's first exhibition game is this Friday against...Anderson University...yeah the Anderson University from Anderson, Indiana...where I grew up and graduated High School! Go IU!

Have a great rest of the week and a great week while I'm on vacation drinking lemonade

Halloween and A Walk in the Park

Meredith Andrews - You're Not Alone

Mind games

Sarah and I love watching reality tv. More truthfully, I loved it before we got married and now she likes it (i don't know if she really likes it or just watches it with me). Anyway...last night there was a challenge that required the contestants to have their hands and feet bound while holding a weight that would take them down to the floor of the ocean (12 feet where they were) and then back up. The last person to let go of their weight would win the challenge. It became quickly apparent that this was more of a mental challenge than a physical one.

It got me thinking, most of life is a mental challenge. I've had a really challenging week mentally. There are battles that wage that no one around knows is going on. Things that we are all thinking but never speak out loud. How much do we think and never ever say? Think about that...what do you think the ratio to thoughts thought vs thoughts spoken really is? We've become a somewhat transparent society in which people are who they are and can dress, act, date and live any which way they want to. Our actions aren't hard to read. But what about our thoughts?
The great baseball player and now Aflac spokesperson Yogi Berra once was quoted as saying, "90% of this game is half mental". Our minds wage wars that really never come out in our every day-walking around-going from here to there lives. Still, it affects us and it goes to the core. We deal with these things that even our closest friends and family members never now about or ever will. These things change us and change our attitudes and reactions and color our perspective on life. Yet they go unsaid. They go unspoken and seem to linger until those quiet moments in life. All that to say this:

Even though some of the largest battles that we will face never have words or letters behind them, God knows. He simply just knows and He cares.

Ezekiel 11:5
Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and he told me to say, “This is what the Lord says to the people of Israel: I know what you are saying, for I know every thought that comes into your minds.

You are not alone in your battles. The ones that people can see. The addictions that people can see. The disagreements that people can see. Almost more comforting is knowing that we are not alone in the deeper battles that no one sees. Those fears and scars that only you and God know about. You're not alone. Listen to the song I posted above and just remember that you are NOT alone in your battles spoken or not!

Family Guy Puke-A-Thon

Pumpkin Night 08 edition

Hey here are some pics from our 4th annual pumpkin carving night for the youth group. The carnivore pumpkin came in first and the joker pumpkin came in second.

Encouraging word

Romans 12:9-19 (The Message)
Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

17-19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

Jellyland Update 10.27.08

1. The overnighter went well. The service was amazing! Teens really coming to grips that God LOVES them! One of the best memories I've had at Shiloh for sure.

2. We went to Lazer X in Ft. Wayne and I came in 2nd out of 37 ppl the first game and 1st of out 37 the second game! It is a blast...

3. Sarah and I went to Ft. Wayne on Thursday for a birthday haircut and dinner with the Peggster. It was good...I got an Italian leather wallet for my b -day from Peggy...she just got back from Italy...

4. October is almost over and that means November is here and November is my favorite month...hands down. My birthday, anniversary, vacation...IU basketball starts...Thanksgiving and the start of the Christmas season!

5. I restrung my guitar for the first time last week...I was worried I'd mess something up but it was good.

6. Basketball started on Tuesday night at Plymouth Wesleyan Church. I'm so thankful that they let me come and play...they also just built a new gym with maple hardwood floors! It is nice

7. I'm either tied or in first place in all four of my fantasy football leagues after this past weekend! I know...I'm a geek...deal with it

8. A couple of kids from the youth group have started playing along with me during worship. one is playing the drums and doing a great job! The other is learning guitar and he is coming along really well. It is fun to be able to play music with other people.

9. I stink at Rock Band. I cannot drum to save my life! I'm ok at the singing but I felt stupid doing it...

10. Last but most importantly....God loves us. He LOVES us! Oh how He LOVES us... don't you ever forget that!

LSU vs. USC referee

Updates

Here is an update on the Jellison's of the North:


1. Sarah started the meds for her thyroid problem! That is a big praise!

2. My hand is fully functional...finally.

3. We have an overnighter coming up this Friday. Should be a blast! I am using a lot of ! today...

4. We leave for vacation in 17 days...we are going to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for a whole lot of nothingness.

5. The leaves are amazing...especially down my favorite road here

6. There are some youth that are starting to play worship with me on Sunday nights...it is cool to see this finally happening!

7. IU had it's first practice last Friday night...granted they might be bad this year...still I will watch every game to the end and root the same as if they were the best team in the country...because they are (in my book)! lol

8. Tri-Way Theatre is closed for the season. We love this place...


9. I'm loving the song that I posted a few days ago, "How He Loves". It has this great line that says that "I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way He loves us"! Wow...

10. Sarah's birthday is thursday....Happy Birthday....I love you so much

The Presidential election

I have to say, I hate politics. I rarely listen to anything that has to do with elections. However, this year has been different. There are so many different things going on and with our country where it is, this election seems to loom larger than others. So...I am not going to be a homer but I just want to say this and be done with it:


I think a lot of people are going to vote for Obama not because of what he stands for or against but because he is different. Some say a lot of people are voting for him because he is black and that sparked something in my mind. Mind you, I am not an authority on Martin Luther King , and I really don't know where he'd stand on a lot of today's issues. However I do know this: He wouldn't want people voting for Barack Obama because he is black. He said so himself.

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

If you don't think people are voting for Obama because of who he is and not what he stands for check out the stevansheets.com blog about a clip from the Howard Stern Show (of all places!).

It goes both ways. If we are judging charcater by what you stand for or stand against, then Barack Obama shouldn't be allowed to represent our country. A country who was founded on Biblical principles and whose currency says in God we trust. As a Christian we aren't defined by whatever color we are...we should be defined by who we are in Christ.

He is radical in his voting, his beliefs and if he wins this election those things will be seen.

Still I know this, whoever wins in a few weeks won't change the fact that my God still reigns. He is still in control and come November 5th that won't change. (I'm off my soapbox now)

How He Loves Us - Kim Walker / Jesus Culture

all I can say is wow...

Happy Fall!

It's finally getting colder and the leaves are turning...I hope things are good for you! I love this pic...so creative!

SPED time

I am getting ready to head to Anderson to spend some time with the SPEDS. I miss them a lot. It is hard when you don't have many friends where you live and in your everyday life. So for those of you that DO have friends that are close...cherish them.

Weekly update

Hey there... not a ton going on right now but here's is what is:


1. Sarah didn't get the charge nurse position. Oh well...it wasn't mean to be.

2. Sarah went to the Dr. last Wednesday and the Dr. said that she would treat her thyroid! Talk about light at the end of the tunnel...

3. October is Pastor Appreciation month...we had a good time last Sunday night at the Moore's house. I had to drive the vans because we don't have a van driver though...

4. My hand is doing good. I played some football Sunday night and didn't even notice it.

5. I am looking forward to going to Marion/Anderson this Friday and spending some quality time with my mom and then the SPEDS.

6. Things are good overall with us. No big changes...no big problems...just small ones nagging away!

7. Sarah's mom, Peggy, is going to Italy! I am kinda jealous...I say kinda because I don't want to fly over the Ocean, I'd much rather crash on land.

8. Vacation is in 29 days! Yay!

9. Sarah got us tickets for the IU vs Gonzaga game at Lucas Oil Stadium for my birthday!

10. I cannot believe that the Colts won! I'm still amazed that they came back and won that game! wow...

Have a great Wednesday!

Rewind

10 years ago (1998):
1. I was a Sophomore at Jay County High School.
2. I was living with my Dad.
3. I was working at McDonalds.
4. I had just been cut from the basketball team.

5 things on today’s “to do” list:
1. Work on the youth group newsletter
2. Meet with our insurance agent to save some $$$
3. Spend time with Sarah
4. Practice my song for the special this Sunday morning
5. Drink some Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Buffalo Pretzel Chip thingys
2. Funyuns
3. Carmel Apples
4. Cookies and Creme Hershey Bar
5. Those peanut butter kiss things that only come around during Halloween

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Pay off my stupid student loans
2. Buy a scooter
3. Go to Europe
4. Let Sarah stay at home or open up a coffee shop
5. Buy my mom a flippin' sweet car

5 places I have lived:
1. Portland, IN: lived there until I was 8 or 9 then again when I was 14 for a year!
2. Anderson, IN: I loved and still love this place...most of my lifelong friends live there
3. Elwood, IN: Interesting place to live...you usually have to go out of town to "do" something
4. Marion, IN: IWU, oh those years were fun and I miss them somedays
5. Plymouth, IN: Present stomping ground lots of cows and corn!

5 jobs I have had:
1. Youth Pastor

2. McDonalds- I loved it...
3. Family Dollar- Assistant Manager at age 17!

4. Paper boy...hated it!
5. Wal-Mart- third shift stocker during my Sophomore and Junior years at IWU...you want to see some interesting people go to Wal-mart after 11pm!

How Deep the Fathers Love For Us

I am singing this song for the special this Sunday and I thought I'd share the words on here. What a powerful song and the line that gets me is "That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure". How deep is the Fathers love? Deeper than we'll ever know.


How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocing voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that helf Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast inJ esus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

This made my day!

I had to put this on here...its from simplyyouthminstry.com's website... signs from above! :)

Weekly reflections 9.22-28

Hey....here's an update


1. Sarah hasn't heard about the new position yet. Hopefully soon. However...

2. My Mom got a new job that is going to be great for her with all of the benefits and fewer responsibilities. It's time for her to start slowing down. Congrats momma!

3. My hand is pretty much 100%... it is nice having it back!

4. Shiloh has a multi-purpose building that is used 90% of the time for youth services called the Oasis. Well, we recently got the floor cleaned (the first time it has been professionally done since I've been here and that is four plus years). I have had 6 or 7 people come talk to me about that stupid floor and to make sure that we aren't sliding the furniture around on the floor because...

5. This Sunday is Shiloh's 140th Anniversary. There is a service in the Oasis following our carry-in. Should be a good day...

6. I have been getting out of the office/church and coming to the Library for the past few weeks and I am loving being able to come here and change the pace.

7. Our van driver resigned Wednesday night. He is in his 80's and has done a great job of showing people in our church what it means to serve. Thanks Don! However...

8. That means we need a van driver! We have not had people knocking down the doors to volunteer for anything...so please throw up a prayer that God will move and bring someone along to help with our Van ministry.

9. October is almost here...which means cooler weather and that makes me happy

10. I love watching other church services on-line! Some that I like to watch are NewSpring Church (Anderson, South Carolina) and Granger Community Church (Granger, Indiana). It really refreshes me...and makes me want to be more creative!

Have a great weekend

Worries vs Faith

I was reading something the other day and it said "worry is the opposite of faith". It got me thinking about the difference and where I stand. Do I worry about more things rather than having faith about things? The transparent answer is definitely. I'm working on trusting God more everyday with everything. However, its hard. When things keep building up and don't get addressed, when issues keep popping up without answers, when things continue to go in the opposite direction of where you want to go it is frustrating. I would say that I'm an 80% worrier. 8 out of 10 things I tend to be ,as a definition of worries states, in a state of "persistent mental uneasiness". Often we think the worst about something when in reality, it is smaller or easier or really not an issue. In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus talks about this very thing. Still, we struggle with it.

So I guess it comes down to a choice. When we are faced with something in our life that causes us to pause we have to make a choice: worry about it or trust in God that He will do what He said He will do. Psalm 46:1 says that "God is our refuge and strength, a VERY present help in troubles".

Worry vs Faith: Which one will win today?

"It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him".
- Hebrews 11:6

Bluffton Street Fair 08 and moving my gparents

Hey...Hope your weekend went well. Mine was good. We got to see family and go to the Bluffton Street Fair all in one weekend. Fantastic! Also, here are some pics from our youth group Fall Kickoff.

Moving and Street Fair

Hey...

This weekend Sarah and I are going to Ohio to help my Grandpa and Grandma Christian move and then on to Bluffton the (in Andy's best movie announcer voice) "World Famous BLUFFTON STREET FAIR"! Pictures will follow. Also...I'll add some from last weekends Fall Kickoff. Fun times. Hope you have a super weekend. I'll be playing the Mouse Game...yep the mouse game where you put a quarter on a set of numbers you think the real mouse will go into. Sounds wierd and dirty...and it is but it is tons of fun.

I've lost something

I guess being in ministry we are whipped into submission to be in the now. We try to get kids to come this week. We try and plan activities this week. Sometimes we plan ahead...plan for events, trips etc. You come into ministry thinking amazing things. Or I believe at least you should. Then, it all seems to get knocked out of you. You get criticized for this...a little knocked out. You get told that you aren't doing enough....more knocked out. You see the same people not respond to anything you feel that God is telling you...and even more gets knocked out. I want to dream big. I want to be a part of something that could only happen if God were a part of it. Something that no man could take credit for, only God. I want to dream big but more importantly, I just need to start dreaming again. I need to be more creative. Think outside of the "now" box. Think outside of my circumstances. I have become a now man...and I've let being more and dreaming for something like Paul was talking about in Eph. 3:20 slip my mind. That is what kind of follower of Christ I want to become. I want to affect change rather than be effected by the apathy of those around me. I believe that God can do anything that He wants whenever, wherever He wants. Still, those people must allow Him to do so. I have let people effect me rather than God.

May God help us to dream big. Dream things that touch God's heart. To want things that God wants. To be chasing after one thing: to know Christ and to bring others into that same knowledge. May you find that surrender is freedom in Christ. May we not be caged by the insecurities of generations past. Let us not hold onto or be tied down by their apparent love affair with the now and the comfortable. May God open our eyes to be able to dream things that only He could accomplish instead of planning things that we know we can.

Eph. 3:20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Vacation!!!!

Hey...after some searching, Sarah and I will be going on vacation November 7-14 to celebrate our "birthdays and anniversary". We will going to the Orange Lake Resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. It is a much needed vacation before the holidays and the start of a new year. We can't wait. It is about an hour and half north of Chicago and we are about an hour and a half from Chicago so it will be a good distance to just be able to get away. Thanks Uncle Harold! You don't know how much we need this.