A Curious Year

The year 2010 has been curious at best for me personally. This year I have seen the gospel take root and grow in many of my friends lives. I have grown closer to my wife. I have had many incredible experiences pointing to the vastness of the grace of God. But, I have also had several encounters that I'm not even sure how to explain.

I've decided to give you all a peak into my life for fun. I hope you enjoy.

Interesting 2010 tidbits from the life of a 27 year old church-planter:

• In Feb. I visited Honduras, Belize, and Mexico with my family on vacation. It barely peaked into the 70s a total of one day of the vacation while in Belize. I am thankful for the amazing opportunity. The rain and cold weather forced me to spend time with those I love.
  
• In early 2010 I found a mass. It wasn't cancerous, but it wasn't in a good place either. Not fun.
  
• While teaching at The Bridge one evening, someone broke into my car.
  
• Also while teaching, volunteers found people having sex in a van I own. Yep, on church property while I was preaching.
  
• On Good Friday I received a phone call about two kids needing a mommy and daddy for awhile. Becky and I took in a 3 day old and a two year old for two months. While this was an enjoyable experience, let's just say that I have tremendous respect now for foster parents.
  
• I decided to go to Haiti to build homes in July and contracted some strange rash. It went away without harm, but it is not fun to have to wear jeans everywhere you go in Missouri humidity like a Mennonite.
  
• While in Haiti I encountered my first voodoo priest and celebration. I have always believed in spiritual warfare, but now I have experienced it in a powerful way. I would share details but I do not want to sound like a charismaniac.
  
• Did I mention that our team tents flooded the first night in Haiti? :-)
  
• Also while in Haiti my wife got sick and was sent to the ER. I didn't find out until I got home. Becky ended up having surgery, is doing well, but we are not completely out in the clear.
  
• The week after arriving home I was awakened to someone pounding on my front door. This was the beginning of strange letters, emails, and sightings of people.
  
• After 57 years of marriage, I sat with my grandfather as he mourned the loss of his bride. A few days later I preached grandma's funeral.
  
• In August I helped my brother tear up and burn down the house of my youth (in years previous our parents home was smacked by a tornado).
  
• My oldest child began Kindergarten. My children are truly a blessing from the Lord.
  
  and finally....
  
• In 2010, I received my first and second death threat.

It has been a curious year, but the book is still out for 2010. How will it end?

God's grace has continuously and consistently been poured out through all of the ups and downs. This year I have seen our faith community grow as the gospel spreads. There are new opportunities that await us as we pursue spreading to Jefferson County and following God's call. Becky and I have finally settled into a consistent devotional and prayer life together. My girls have fallen in love with "The Jesus Storybook Bible."

So, how will it end?

My plan is to end it passionately, while living fully for the sake of the gospel!

1 Corinthians 9:19-27
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, [2] lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.