It is one of the most refreshing things that could happen to you. It comes on suddenly, without warning, and brings you to a state of humility almost immediately. At least that is what we have come to find whenever we receive encouragement. Receiving encouragement is like having a huge rock on your back and someone taking it off and saying "now it up and go!" Encouragement relieves fears that holds us back, and springs new life into a goal.
To be honest it is difficult to describe what encouragement has done for us over this past month. We have met with close family and friends concerning partnership involvement in our ministry. In all of those meetings we have come away feeling encouraged. The emotions and realization that go along with encouragement are life changing. "We can succeed?" "We are worth something?" "We are on the right track?" It confirms what we can not say to ourselves about ourselves. It takes any negative self-talk and spins it around to be positive.
This encouragement could not have come at a better time. It is a new year, with new goals, and a new fuel for getting to where God wants us to be. That fuel is encouragement. So here we go!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A Friend Leaves Chicago
During our time at Elim from fall 2004 to spring 2008 we became good friends with Matt Swider. Matt was the worship pastor when we started our ministry at Elim. When we stepped down from full-time ministry he was Elim's Teaching Pastor.
Matt and I became very good friends. We worked together closely in different ministries at Elim. Matt had a heart for youth ministry as well because that is what sparked his interest in ministry. Matt challenged a lot of my thinking on scripture and theology. Matt is a great teacher and a caring person. We laughed a lot and had a lot of fun while both doing ministry at Elim. He was a great help in getting Becky a position with Starbucks. He educated us on the greatness of Starbucks.
This is a picture of Matt and I at his going away party at Elim last month. Matt moved last week to Helena, Montana where he started a position as an associate pastor. We will miss Matt here in Chicago, but we know that God will do a great work through him in Helena. God Bless Brother...enjoy the cold dark Montana weather
Matt and I became very good friends. We worked together closely in different ministries at Elim. Matt had a heart for youth ministry as well because that is what sparked his interest in ministry. Matt challenged a lot of my thinking on scripture and theology. Matt is a great teacher and a caring person. We laughed a lot and had a lot of fun while both doing ministry at Elim. He was a great help in getting Becky a position with Starbucks. He educated us on the greatness of Starbucks.
This is a picture of Matt and I at his going away party at Elim last month. Matt moved last week to Helena, Montana where he started a position as an associate pastor. We will miss Matt here in Chicago, but we know that God will do a great work through him in Helena. God Bless Brother...enjoy the cold dark Montana weather
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Holiday Blessings
In a matter of ten days this Christmas season we had seven holiday parties that we were a part of. Here are some of the highlights.
On Dec. 21st we went to Becky's Dad & Step Mom's home in Sandwich. We began our hour and a half journey west on the coldest day of the year! Everything was frozen over. We were very glad the Jeep started, and when we got inside Becky's parent's home the only other time we were leaving was when we had to start the Jeep and leave. Because it was so cold we considered spending the night. We ended up going home but very slowly on the main roads all the way to the expressway.
Christmas day was different. Becky had to work 8am-12pm, so we went over to my parents house a little later in the afternoon. So we opened presents at 2pm. It was kinda weird, but all of my siblings are older, so everyone enjoyed the extra sleep. Christmas day is a day of rest and relaxation. We chill out, laugh, eat, play games. And this year was no different it was very fun.
On Dec. 26th we had some friends over to our home who are closer to our age. One of our former students Amy and my former roommate at Moody Ben were tied in points in a Christmas Quiz game with a huge basket of Starbucks goodies at stake. The tie breaker question allowed Amy to take back to her dorm at Wheaton a sweet basket of Starbucks goodies. It was great spending time with our friends!
The time we had over the holiday was fun and tiring. We are actually just recovering now. Our home is back to normal, and we even did a little house cleansing. We are hoping to start the new year right. Setting goals, evaluating ourselves, keeping up with our relationships, raising support, being involved in youth ministry (hopefully on an American military installation in Germany!), etc.
Thank you for your prayers, love, support in 2008, we are looking forward to what God will do in 2009!
On Dec. 21st we went to Becky's Dad & Step Mom's home in Sandwich. We began our hour and a half journey west on the coldest day of the year! Everything was frozen over. We were very glad the Jeep started, and when we got inside Becky's parent's home the only other time we were leaving was when we had to start the Jeep and leave. Because it was so cold we considered spending the night. We ended up going home but very slowly on the main roads all the way to the expressway.
Christmas day was different. Becky had to work 8am-12pm, so we went over to my parents house a little later in the afternoon. So we opened presents at 2pm. It was kinda weird, but all of my siblings are older, so everyone enjoyed the extra sleep. Christmas day is a day of rest and relaxation. We chill out, laugh, eat, play games. And this year was no different it was very fun.
On Dec. 26th we had some friends over to our home who are closer to our age. One of our former students Amy and my former roommate at Moody Ben were tied in points in a Christmas Quiz game with a huge basket of Starbucks goodies at stake. The tie breaker question allowed Amy to take back to her dorm at Wheaton a sweet basket of Starbucks goodies. It was great spending time with our friends!
The time we had over the holiday was fun and tiring. We are actually just recovering now. Our home is back to normal, and we even did a little house cleansing. We are hoping to start the new year right. Setting goals, evaluating ourselves, keeping up with our relationships, raising support, being involved in youth ministry (hopefully on an American military installation in Germany!), etc.
Thank you for your prayers, love, support in 2008, we are looking forward to what God will do in 2009!
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