I am amazed and proud of the way our church and community stepped up to the plate for the Wolfe Family. We held our Spaghetti Dinner/Benefit yesterday and let's just say the money raised was way beyond my expectations. Even with the snowy weather we raised approximately $4000!! We do not have the complete totals yet so don't quote me exactly, but we should be very close to that number. AWESOME is what comes to mind.
The out pouring of support shows us what a community can do when we come together to support one another. Beyond the monetary support I received numerous offers to help the Wolfe family in any way possible. What a tremendous example of the Body of Christ coming together to support one of its members. To me there is not better example of Christian love and support. People gave of their time, talent and money to help someone in need. This Spirit of giving and helping others is exactly what Jesus calls us to do. Let's pray that this generous Spirit does not end with this benefit. There are numerous ways we can continue to spread the same love and Spirit with our entire community. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Going Grey
Well it is official I suppose. I have officially become old in my children's eyes. Isaac asked me this morning how old I was. I told him and he said geez dad that's old! I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Then, he says something about the graying of my hair! Sometimes I think that little fart is too smart for his own good.
I don't know why that stung a little bit. I know full well that 32 isn't old and I also know that gray hair is better than no hair; at least for now! Also, age has never been a big deal for me. I had a couple friends that hit 30 and it was a big deal for them, but I guess I've never worried about it. I don't mind getting old, really I don't. Maybe I don't want to be old or old fashioned in my kids eyes. I suppose I want to be the cool dad, but I can't let that happen because I'm going to relish embarrassing my kids. I think that's why we don't have a girl...God is protecting her from me and all the issues she'd have to work through from the emotional scars she would acquire growing up with me as a dad!
Getting older means getting more mature right? Well, in some areas of our lives it should. As we experience more and more of life we get a better understanding of how the world works. We realize that we have more and more responsibilities and can't keep acting like we did 5, 10, 15 years ago. As we get older we should mature in our faith life too. Just as life experiences make us more mature those same experiences cause our faith to grow too. As we struggle through tough times and come out the other end we begin to understand that God will see us through. As we continue to study God's word and see how it can help us through life we begin to understand the importance it has in our lives. As we are generous with what has been given to us (talent, time, money, etc.) we see how God blesses our lives, and others, through our generosity. As we see how our attitude and how we treat others affects how we interact with the world and receive God's blessings.
What's that? You don't see this happening? Did you know that most adults have an elementary Sunday school understanding of the Bible? Has your faith grown? It doesn't happen automatically. Yes life experience can help us grow in our faith, but we need to be studying the Word and being in community with other believes to truly help our faith grow. If there is one thing we should know by being in a farming community it is that you need to water something to make it grow. Well "water" for your faith is Bible study, prayer, devotion, and worship. Without those how can you expect to learn more and grown? And if your faith doesn't grow then how can you expect it to continue to be a sense of strength for you? Does an 8th grade level of spiritual maturity help a 32+ year old make sense of life? I don't think so. Consider this a challenge to grow your faith. If you feel like your faith life has grown stagnant then it is a good possibility you've stopped watering it. There are many opportunities to feed and grow your faith. Will you take advantage of them?
I don't know why that stung a little bit. I know full well that 32 isn't old and I also know that gray hair is better than no hair; at least for now! Also, age has never been a big deal for me. I had a couple friends that hit 30 and it was a big deal for them, but I guess I've never worried about it. I don't mind getting old, really I don't. Maybe I don't want to be old or old fashioned in my kids eyes. I suppose I want to be the cool dad, but I can't let that happen because I'm going to relish embarrassing my kids. I think that's why we don't have a girl...God is protecting her from me and all the issues she'd have to work through from the emotional scars she would acquire growing up with me as a dad!
Getting older means getting more mature right? Well, in some areas of our lives it should. As we experience more and more of life we get a better understanding of how the world works. We realize that we have more and more responsibilities and can't keep acting like we did 5, 10, 15 years ago. As we get older we should mature in our faith life too. Just as life experiences make us more mature those same experiences cause our faith to grow too. As we struggle through tough times and come out the other end we begin to understand that God will see us through. As we continue to study God's word and see how it can help us through life we begin to understand the importance it has in our lives. As we are generous with what has been given to us (talent, time, money, etc.) we see how God blesses our lives, and others, through our generosity. As we see how our attitude and how we treat others affects how we interact with the world and receive God's blessings.
What's that? You don't see this happening? Did you know that most adults have an elementary Sunday school understanding of the Bible? Has your faith grown? It doesn't happen automatically. Yes life experience can help us grow in our faith, but we need to be studying the Word and being in community with other believes to truly help our faith grow. If there is one thing we should know by being in a farming community it is that you need to water something to make it grow. Well "water" for your faith is Bible study, prayer, devotion, and worship. Without those how can you expect to learn more and grown? And if your faith doesn't grow then how can you expect it to continue to be a sense of strength for you? Does an 8th grade level of spiritual maturity help a 32+ year old make sense of life? I don't think so. Consider this a challenge to grow your faith. If you feel like your faith life has grown stagnant then it is a good possibility you've stopped watering it. There are many opportunities to feed and grow your faith. Will you take advantage of them?
Monday, January 25, 2010
I tried not too...
I didn't want to do it. I promise I tried my best not too, but I can't hold it back anymore...WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE SPRING! Geez! As I sit in my office this morning, during a blizzard warning mind you, I wonder how we're getting the kids home from school? We are the only school in Pott county I think in session. Someone in charge of that has some explaining to do.
Okay that's out of my system. I honestly don't have much on the mind today..save the jokes. I have a great idea for the Musings in our monthly newsletter The Cornerstone and I don't want to just repeat it here.
I suppose I could vent a little about the Vikings loss last night. Not only was it a loss, but it was a heart wrenching loss too. To be so close and then have it ripped away hurts a little. I do enjoy sports, but I don't get so involved that it ruins my day or even night. I slept good and Alex has begun to sleep through the night more and more so that makes me happy. Sports for me is a nice distraction, but I can't get too involved because other aspects of life are much more important and deserve my energy. And I have to relay that too my kids too. Quick story..
Last night we told Isaac that the Saints were ahead and he started getting all sad and began to cry. He was genuinely upset that the Vikes were losing. After I controlled my laughter because it was cute, we had a heart to heart talk. I did my best to explain to a 3 year old that we like the Vikings but it's just a game. Watching and cheering for them is fun, but it doesn't have a bearing on our lives. Not sure he understood, but when the Vikes eventually lost he wasn't so despondent. Not sure if we made any headway with him but it was a wonderful reminder to me that sports are just a nice distraction. I wanted to be angry and throw things, but I saw my 3 year old there and was immediately reminded that true happiness comes from family, faith and friends. I'll continue cheering for the MN sports teams. I'll continue being disappointed in their losses. I'll also continue to remember that there are better things in life. So, until next year GO VIKES AND GO TWINS!!
Okay that's out of my system. I honestly don't have much on the mind today..save the jokes. I have a great idea for the Musings in our monthly newsletter The Cornerstone and I don't want to just repeat it here.
I suppose I could vent a little about the Vikings loss last night. Not only was it a loss, but it was a heart wrenching loss too. To be so close and then have it ripped away hurts a little. I do enjoy sports, but I don't get so involved that it ruins my day or even night. I slept good and Alex has begun to sleep through the night more and more so that makes me happy. Sports for me is a nice distraction, but I can't get too involved because other aspects of life are much more important and deserve my energy. And I have to relay that too my kids too. Quick story..
Last night we told Isaac that the Saints were ahead and he started getting all sad and began to cry. He was genuinely upset that the Vikes were losing. After I controlled my laughter because it was cute, we had a heart to heart talk. I did my best to explain to a 3 year old that we like the Vikings but it's just a game. Watching and cheering for them is fun, but it doesn't have a bearing on our lives. Not sure he understood, but when the Vikes eventually lost he wasn't so despondent. Not sure if we made any headway with him but it was a wonderful reminder to me that sports are just a nice distraction. I wanted to be angry and throw things, but I saw my 3 year old there and was immediately reminded that true happiness comes from family, faith and friends. I'll continue cheering for the MN sports teams. I'll continue being disappointed in their losses. I'll also continue to remember that there are better things in life. So, until next year GO VIKES AND GO TWINS!!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Wisdom of kids
Over Christmas break my son Isaac and Tracy's sister Darcy were watching the movie Apollo 13. When the capsule has some difficulty and there are scenes of family members crying Darcy looks over and Isaac is crying too. She asks, "what's the matter Isaac?" And he replies, "When are they going to see their family again?" He was concerned that the astronauts wouldn't be with their families again and he was sad. There have been a number of times when we're watching a movie or some television show and Isaac will get quiet and I will ask what's wrong and he'll be worried about the family. Already he knows the comfort and support that can be found inside of a family and he has a very empathetic side too. As for when he was watching Apollo 13 Darcy explained that everyone will be okay and he was comforted by that but he wouldn't stop watching until the families were reunited. Sometimes I wonder if kids are wiser than we are.
Of course us adults know that families aren't perfect, that all families don't get reunited, and that not all people find comfort in earthly families. But, we can take comfort in knowing that we are all part of a bigger family. We are all God's creation/children whether we want to acknowledge it or not. Unlike earthly families God loves us unconditionally. No matter what we do God's love for us never changes and God always desires that we turn to God for comfort, help and wisdom. We cannot drive ourselves too far from God. Nothing we do can separate us from God's desire for us to be part of the divine family. Do you get the picture? The relationship we have with God cannot be irreparably damaged. God always wants us as part of the family.
We can take great comfort in knowing that God is always there for us. No matter how far we feel from God, the Spirit is right next to us waiting for us to open ourselves to the power. Just as my 3 year old takes comfort in knowing that he has a family that loves and supports him, although we're far from perfect, and he knows that families help others, I believe that being part of God's family can help us through anything. We just need to believe and accept that God loves us just as we are. We need to be able to accept ourselves in order to allow God to use us. Maybe what we need is the childlike faith and belief that families are great support and vehicles of love. Maybe we need the innocence and optimism of a child to see past all the heartache and cynicism of this world and believe that God loves us and that power exists and wants to be in relation with us. Maybe we just think too much...
Of course us adults know that families aren't perfect, that all families don't get reunited, and that not all people find comfort in earthly families. But, we can take comfort in knowing that we are all part of a bigger family. We are all God's creation/children whether we want to acknowledge it or not. Unlike earthly families God loves us unconditionally. No matter what we do God's love for us never changes and God always desires that we turn to God for comfort, help and wisdom. We cannot drive ourselves too far from God. Nothing we do can separate us from God's desire for us to be part of the divine family. Do you get the picture? The relationship we have with God cannot be irreparably damaged. God always wants us as part of the family.
We can take great comfort in knowing that God is always there for us. No matter how far we feel from God, the Spirit is right next to us waiting for us to open ourselves to the power. Just as my 3 year old takes comfort in knowing that he has a family that loves and supports him, although we're far from perfect, and he knows that families help others, I believe that being part of God's family can help us through anything. We just need to believe and accept that God loves us just as we are. We need to be able to accept ourselves in order to allow God to use us. Maybe what we need is the childlike faith and belief that families are great support and vehicles of love. Maybe we need the innocence and optimism of a child to see past all the heartache and cynicism of this world and believe that God loves us and that power exists and wants to be in relation with us. Maybe we just think too much...
Monday, January 4, 2010
A Fresh Start
There is nothing quite like the start to a New Year. I don't really get into celebrating the coming of the New Year too much. Just a night out with some friends is really enough. I can do without the headache from too much champagne the night before! It's an accomplishment for me to make it too midnight. What I like about the turning of the calendar to the New Year is the sense that we get a chance to start anew. The sense that there is the whole year ahead of you and you can do things better this year. No matter what has happened the past year you get a chance to make some promises, or resolutions, that you'll do better this time around. What an awesome opportunity.
Of course about 2 to 4 weeks later reality sets in and the "new" year begins to look a lot like the past year only with you getting older. How many promises, or resolutions (I really dislike that word), have we kept? If you are like me....none. Oh, if I'm lucky I'll make it a month or two eating better and exercising regularly, but pretty soon old habits creep back in. Maybe we should be singing "old habits be forgot" instead of "old acquaintances be forgot." That to me would be a better New Year song. Just making a promise, or resolution, doesn't do any good of course. You need to make some concrete changes if you really want this year to be different. I am not about to offer any advice on how to do that since I'm no shining example myself, but what I do want to touch on is how God offers us a fresh start AND the power to change every day.
Just as the beginning of a new year can spark a sense of hope and renewal in us God offers that same hope and forgiveness for past misgivings no matter what time of year it is. God is always ready to listen to a repentant heart. God is always ready to forgive us. Maybe most importantly of all God is always ready to help us become a better person. God is always ready and willing...the trick is are we. It takes some guts to pour out our failings to God, and it takes even more faith to earnestly want God to work on us and change us. When we truly allow God to work in our lives then we are giving God control of what happens. We don't like giving up control. But, if we really want our lives to change then we need to let God work on us. We don't have the strength to do it, or at least I don't. We need the help of the Spirit, and we need to be willing to let the Spirit grind down the rough edges. If we truly let God work on us, then the changes will be concrete and everlasting. The hard part of course is letting go and letting God. Take the spirit and hope of this new year and open yourself up to the calling of the Spirit. You'll be amazed at what promises, or resolutions, you can keep!
Of course about 2 to 4 weeks later reality sets in and the "new" year begins to look a lot like the past year only with you getting older. How many promises, or resolutions (I really dislike that word), have we kept? If you are like me....none. Oh, if I'm lucky I'll make it a month or two eating better and exercising regularly, but pretty soon old habits creep back in. Maybe we should be singing "old habits be forgot" instead of "old acquaintances be forgot." That to me would be a better New Year song. Just making a promise, or resolution, doesn't do any good of course. You need to make some concrete changes if you really want this year to be different. I am not about to offer any advice on how to do that since I'm no shining example myself, but what I do want to touch on is how God offers us a fresh start AND the power to change every day.
Just as the beginning of a new year can spark a sense of hope and renewal in us God offers that same hope and forgiveness for past misgivings no matter what time of year it is. God is always ready to listen to a repentant heart. God is always ready to forgive us. Maybe most importantly of all God is always ready to help us become a better person. God is always ready and willing...the trick is are we. It takes some guts to pour out our failings to God, and it takes even more faith to earnestly want God to work on us and change us. When we truly allow God to work in our lives then we are giving God control of what happens. We don't like giving up control. But, if we really want our lives to change then we need to let God work on us. We don't have the strength to do it, or at least I don't. We need the help of the Spirit, and we need to be willing to let the Spirit grind down the rough edges. If we truly let God work on us, then the changes will be concrete and everlasting. The hard part of course is letting go and letting God. Take the spirit and hope of this new year and open yourself up to the calling of the Spirit. You'll be amazed at what promises, or resolutions, you can keep!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Merry Christmas
Not too much on my mind this week. Looking forward to a great Christmas with the family. Amazed that Isaac has left the presents under the tree alone! He has certainly gotten into this whole Christmas thing. He even picked out a couple of his toys that he could give to a little boy or girl who wasn't getting toys this Christmas. He digs Santa, he kinda understands Jesus being born, so we're going to have to keep working on getting him to understand why we get to celebrate this season every year.
Maybe that's the challenge to all of us. To make sure we remember why we celebrate this season. No real words of wisdom to help with that fact. Call a friend, call a family member, call a neighbor you haven't talked to in a long time and wish them a Merry Christmas. Spread the Spirit of Christ!
Merry Christmas
Maybe that's the challenge to all of us. To make sure we remember why we celebrate this season. No real words of wisdom to help with that fact. Call a friend, call a family member, call a neighbor you haven't talked to in a long time and wish them a Merry Christmas. Spread the Spirit of Christ!
Merry Christmas
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Let it snow!
Wow! There are piles of snow everywhere. It is not even the middle of December and Tri-Center has used both of it's built in snow days, and I'm not sure Minden has any more places it can pile the snow. Isaac keeps wondering when it's going to warm up so he can go outside and the snow will melt. I told him to brace for a long winter!
I like a Facebook post that I read this morning about people risking their lives, and the lives of rescuers who have to help them if stranded, by going to work in this terrible weather. The post stated that maybe they should take this snow day as a sign from God that you should stay home and recuperate and/or spend time with family. (not a direct quote but the general gist of the posting) I could not agree more. I suppose some jobs are vital, and that if you don't show up for one day you'll either be fired our the company will crumble. Although my hunch is those types of positions are far and few between. Is it really worth life and limb to get to work when the Interstates are closed, or at least no travel is advised, and the two lane highways are impassible? Does your boss really expect you to risk it all for one days work? You mean to tell me there is no way you can make up for it the next few days if you have to? I guess I'm not in the corporate world, and for good reason, but I find it hard to believe any one person is that valuable where they can't miss a day when the weather is horrible.
I mean today was a bullet proof excuse to stay home. Spend some time with the kids, the grandkids, your spouse. Spend some time alone just recharging. People always talk about how busy they are, and then they're presented with a golden chance to take some time for themselves but they can't bring themselves to do it. Is our work truly that important? I know jobs are important, but worth risking your life for over missing one day? I think we get so tied into our jobs because a lot of our self-worth and self-esteem are tied into our careers. How high we are on the social ladder is dependent on how much we make or what our careers are. Our identity is tied into our jobs, and that is sad. Who we are is not what we do for a living? Yes our careers tell us a bit about ourselves and where we are in life, but they have no representation on what kind of a person we are. Yes what we do for a living is a big part of our lives, but our jobs should not be our sole source of identity. Because we tie our self-identity so closely with our jobs we feel that we have to be there all the time, we have to over perform, the company can't go on without us, and God forbid what happens if we miss some time and the company still goes on? Does that mean we're replaceable? I have news for you...we are all replaceable.
If I could be known for one thing in this world, it would be that I was a good father. I certainly want to succeed at my job, but not at the continued expense of my family. Yes there are times when the job interferes with family life, but I will not let it become the norm. If the job demands too much of me then maybe I'm in the wrong line of work. If I can't take one day, when the weather is horrible, and spend it at home with the family because I can't stand missing any work or don't think I can, for even one day, then maybe my priorities are messed up. God provides opportunities for us to recharge and reconnect. Are we missing them because we believe we're too busy? Where are our priorities? Sometime else to chew on besides goodies this Christmas Season!
I like a Facebook post that I read this morning about people risking their lives, and the lives of rescuers who have to help them if stranded, by going to work in this terrible weather. The post stated that maybe they should take this snow day as a sign from God that you should stay home and recuperate and/or spend time with family. (not a direct quote but the general gist of the posting) I could not agree more. I suppose some jobs are vital, and that if you don't show up for one day you'll either be fired our the company will crumble. Although my hunch is those types of positions are far and few between. Is it really worth life and limb to get to work when the Interstates are closed, or at least no travel is advised, and the two lane highways are impassible? Does your boss really expect you to risk it all for one days work? You mean to tell me there is no way you can make up for it the next few days if you have to? I guess I'm not in the corporate world, and for good reason, but I find it hard to believe any one person is that valuable where they can't miss a day when the weather is horrible.
I mean today was a bullet proof excuse to stay home. Spend some time with the kids, the grandkids, your spouse. Spend some time alone just recharging. People always talk about how busy they are, and then they're presented with a golden chance to take some time for themselves but they can't bring themselves to do it. Is our work truly that important? I know jobs are important, but worth risking your life for over missing one day? I think we get so tied into our jobs because a lot of our self-worth and self-esteem are tied into our careers. How high we are on the social ladder is dependent on how much we make or what our careers are. Our identity is tied into our jobs, and that is sad. Who we are is not what we do for a living? Yes our careers tell us a bit about ourselves and where we are in life, but they have no representation on what kind of a person we are. Yes what we do for a living is a big part of our lives, but our jobs should not be our sole source of identity. Because we tie our self-identity so closely with our jobs we feel that we have to be there all the time, we have to over perform, the company can't go on without us, and God forbid what happens if we miss some time and the company still goes on? Does that mean we're replaceable? I have news for you...we are all replaceable.
If I could be known for one thing in this world, it would be that I was a good father. I certainly want to succeed at my job, but not at the continued expense of my family. Yes there are times when the job interferes with family life, but I will not let it become the norm. If the job demands too much of me then maybe I'm in the wrong line of work. If I can't take one day, when the weather is horrible, and spend it at home with the family because I can't stand missing any work or don't think I can, for even one day, then maybe my priorities are messed up. God provides opportunities for us to recharge and reconnect. Are we missing them because we believe we're too busy? Where are our priorities? Sometime else to chew on besides goodies this Christmas Season!
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