Will You Help Haiti?

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10, NIV

Put simply, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) improves the lives of people around the world. Click the pic to securely donate any amount you can or call (800) 424-ADRA. All donations designated for "Haiti Emergency Response" will go 100% to that purpose. Your contributions to ADRA International, a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, are deductible for computing income and estate taxes.

Photo courtesy: AP / The Canadian Press, Montreal La Presse, Ivanoh Demers

If the Wind and the Water Obey, Shouldn't I?

Today [January 21 if you're reading this post the day MailChimp emailed you the link] I may have already ridden a boat on the Sea of Galilee [since Israel is 7 hours ahead of Ohio] and continued on to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus spoke the Sermon on the Mount. We will also be spending time in Capernaum [Jesus' home base throughout much of his ministry], Cana [where Jesus did his first miracle], and Nazareth [where he was raised]. If you're in Toledo on January 30th, I'll be telling you all about it and showing you pics too!!!

BTW, Wikipedia says [click pic for more info] the Sea of Galilee is actually the largest freshwater lake in Israel. It is approximately 33 miles in circumference, 13 miles long, and 8 miles wide. The lake has a maximum depth of approximately 141 feet. Luke 8 says one day Jesus fell asleep on the boat he was riding across this lake and that a storm arose. So the disciples [tough fishermen remember like the guys on the Deadliest Catch] woke Jesus up [because storms don't scare God] and said, "Master! We're going to drown!" So Jesus rebuked the wind and raging waters and all was calm.

Unless I'm REALLY jet-lagged, I'm fairly certain I won't be falling asleep on any boat. But I will be thinking of this story. And remembering that if the winds and the water obey Jesus, maybe I should too.

Reading and Relaxing?

During the month of January, I've been doing lots of reading and relaxing. Here's some books [click any pic or title for more info] I've read [or re-read]. ● The Cost of Discipleship starts and ends with a bang. "Cheap grace," Bonhoeffer begins, "is the grace we bestow on ourselves...grace without discipleship...Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the girl which must be asked for, the door at which a man must know...It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life."
● Don't let your New Testament get in the way of your Old Testament. Don't be scared to read this book or the Old Testament the same way ever again [and hear its author live in Toledo on March 5-6]. ● Because my church already has a contemporary worship service, is trying to balance traditional and modern tastes, and is seeking relevant worship for a secularized society, I wanted to read this book by Greg Scheer.

Here's some others still captivating my attention: Proverbs [you know, the book in the Bible?!!], The Collected Works of John of the Cross, The Lost World of Genesis One, and The Art of Pastoring: Ministry Without All the Answers. Still in my stack: The Dance of Change, Surprised by Hope, Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me) and Waking the Dead. As for relaxing, I've enjoyed spending more time with Jackie and my pastor mentors instead of preparing my weekly 10 page paper [i.e. sermon—who is glad I don't share everything I find?!!], and sipping my healthy smoothies every day. I can also now putt better in Wii Golf than real golf and I thoroughly enjoyed Avatar in 3D even though the Vatican did not [click pic to see why]. I hope you can make time to read and relax too!!!

Your Fave WTG?

1 Thessalonians 5:11 [NIV] says, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." In the new year, I resolve to use more of these specific, immediate, and sincere phrases [taken from a pamphlet called "97 Words of Encouragement for Children" in the Children's Medical Center in Akron, Ohio]. Which is your fave phrase for encouragement?

1. You're on the right now!
2. You're doing a good job!
3. You did a lot of work today!
4. Now you've figured it out.
5. That's RIGHT!
6. Now you have the hang of it!
7. That's the way!
8. You're really going to town!
9. You're doing fine.
10. Now you have it!
11. Nice going.
12. That's coming along nicely.
13. That's great.
14. You did it that time!
15. GREAT!
16. FANTASTIC!
17. TERRIFIC!
18. TREMENDOUS!
19. You outdid yourself today!
20. How did you do that?
21. That's better.
22. EXCELLENT!
23. That's a good [boy or girl].
24. Good job [name].
25. That's the best you've ever done!
26. Good going!
27. Keep it up!
28. That's really nice.
29. WOW!
30. Keep up the good work.
31. Much better!
32. Good for you!
33. That's very much better!
34. Good thinking.
35. Exactly right!
36. SUPER
37. Nice going!
38. You make it look easy.
39. I've never seen anyone do it better.
40. You're doing much better today.
41. Way to go! [Though I prefer WTG!!!]
42. Not bad.
43. Superb!
44. You're getting better every day.
45. WONDERFUL!
46. I knew you could do it!
47. Keep working on it, you're getting better.
48. You're doing beautifully.
49. You're really working hard today.
50. That's the way to do it!
51. Keep on trying!
52. You're the best!
53. Nothing can stop you now!
54. You've got it made.
55. You're very good at that.
56. You certainly did well today.
57. I'm very proud of you.
58. You're learning fast.
59. You've just about got it.
60. That's good.
61. I'm happy to see you working like that.
62. I'm proud of the way you worked today.
63. That's the right way to do it.
64. You're really learning a lot.
65. That's better than ever.
66. That's quite an improvement.
67. That kind of work makes me very happy.
68. MARVELOUS!
69. Now you've figured it out.
70. PERFECT!
71. That's not half bad!
72. FINE!
73. You've got your brain in gear today.
74. THAT'S IT!
75. You figured it out fast.
76. You remembered!
77. You're really improving.
78. I think you've got it now.
79. Well, look at you go!
80. You've got that down pat!
81. Good work!
82. Outstanding.
83. I like that.
84. Couldn't have done it better myself.
85. Now, that's what I call a fine job.
86. You did that very well.
87. Congratulations!
88. That was first class work.
89. Right on!
90. SENSATIONAL!
91. That's the best ever.
92. Good remembering!
93. You haven't missed a thing!
94. It's a pleasure to teach you when you work like that.
95. You really make my job fun.
96. You got BLANK right.
97. You've just about mastered that!

Grateful New Year?

Dear Friends, as Jackie and I pause to reflect on this past year, we are filled with gratitude for each of you. Not just at New Years, but throughout this past year that began with the Souper Bowl of Caring that stocked the church food pantry, followed by our annual global outreach banquet entitled Valentines for India where we raised nearly $4k for a vocational trade center in India. Thanks to your generosity, sons of sex workers there will be learning a different trade other than pimping or dealing drugs!

Around Easter we celebrated with six more individuals who were baptized and committed their lives to following Jesus. Our evangelistic non-profit organization, Haven of Hope, performed two bedroom make overs and was the recipient of grants through our partnership with Toledo Area Ministries for two more. The spa day for the women at the Aurora House that Women’s Ministries provided was again very well received.

Our own children grew in grace too through the combined ministries of Kid Connect, Teen Girls Retreat, Adventurers, Pathfinders, Sabbath School, and Connections. Watching them play in the park on hot summer Sabbath afternoons and dancing in the puddles at the Kidz Crazy Car Show this year brought smiles to numerous faces including all 15 trophy winners.

Summer fasting from sweets and media brought us closer to the heart of Jesus. And led us to into a full scale church retreat that nearly a hundred experienced—many for the first time at a retreat of any kind. And because the Holy Spirit has blessed our ordinary outreach opportunities from ten years of Ringfest to the first few months of Soup for You on Wednesday nights, we know God will continue to bless in the new year. I can hardly wait to see what new adventures, surprises and miracles God provides in 2010!!!

Where Is Pastor Mike?

The Ohio Conference encourages their pastors to take a four to six week study break every four years to rest or participate in an enrichment activity to ensure that they don’t burn out. Pastor Mike last took a break in 2005 (before he came to Toledo), so during the month of January, he will be on sabbatical. Though Pastor Mike and Jackie will be joining 35 other Ohio pastors [including Pastor Rachel!] during the Pastors Familiarization Tour of Israel January 19-26, most of the time he will be in Toledo, enjoying the peace and quiet, reading the stack of books he hasn’t read yet but wants to, while taking care of the kids.

Please feel free to speak to him like normal about anything not related to church, school, or daycare! We want him back January 30th re-energized and encouraged—not drained because we didn’t let him rest. Should you need pastoral care, please contact Pastor Rachel, Pastor Allan, Pastor Dave, or Dee at the church office. They will be leading us in worship and covering all pastoral needs in the meantime. Thank you!!!

Stocking Stuffer?

Merry Christmas 2009?

It’s that time of year again to take the Fortune Family Christmas Card Quiz. There's only 10 super easy questions. Enjoy!!!

1) In 2009, where did the Fortune family go on vacation?
A. The White House
B. Your house
C. Sesame Street
D. Disney World



2) What did Lydia [7½ years old] win?
A. The lottery
B. The Scripps National Spelling Bee
C. The Daytona 500
D. Toledo's Pinewood Derby

3) Joshua [10 years old] likes:
A. Geocaching
B. Skateboarding
C. Girls
D. Only A and B [so far]

4) Jackie makes good:
A. Dairy free muffins
B. Friends
C. Police reports [after her car was broken into]
D. All of the above

5) Mike loves:
A. Jackie & the southern California sun
B. His big screen TV
C. Indian food & Golden Grahams
D. All of the above

6) Mike's church gives away:
A. Lemonade
B. Swine Flu
C. Thermal Underwear
D. Both A and C

7) In Toledo, Joshua and Lydia love:
A. The newly re-opened science museum
B. Handel's ice cream
C. Ice skating
D. All of the above

8) If there is time before bedtime and Joshua and Lydia have already finished their homework, done their reading, have no attitude problems, and brought home all the stuff they left with [i.e.—hats, gloves, coats, backpacks, and lunch boxes], for being responsible they're allowed to:
A. Jump on their beds
B. Jump in the leaves again
C. Play on mommy's computer
D. Both B and C

9) Our five year old poodle named Barkley still loves:
A. Licking the window while riding shot gun in the van
B. Chasing squirrels
C. Rolling in deer poo
D. All of the above

10) Some of Mike's fave reads in 2009 include:
A. Silence by Shusaku Endo
B. The Shack by Wm. Paul Young
C. Hurt People Hurt People by Sandra Wilson
D. All of the above

Answers: They're all D!!!

>9 Very Fortunate—Honk if you love peace and quiet.
>7 Fortunate—On the other hand, you have different fingers.
>5 Unfortunate—Half the people you know are below average.
>3 A misfortune—You may be diagonally parked in a parallel universe.

Spend Less Read More?

Did you know three books are cheaper than one video game? Click the pics to see the prices and order before Christmas!!! Here's some I highly recommend:

The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. Easily in my top 5 all time. Where I learned that God not only loves me, he actually likes me flaws and all. Gonna be studying it at TF on Wednesdays in the new year.

The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller. Incredible new insights from a very old parable Jesus told in Luke 15. Enjoy!!! And prepare to be pleasantly surprised.

It's Really All About God by Samir Selmanovic. Even if Samir wasn't a pastor friend of mine, I'd be begging people to read and discuss this book together. Recently, his girls posted a vid about about why you shouldn't read this book. Click the triangular play button below to watch it. It's LOL hilarious!!!

Who Will We Help?

As part of our Can Christmas Change the World series at church, I've been asking people to spend less and give more because Christmas is about Christ's birth not yours. To help us remember that, we've invited representatives from three different non-profit organizations in the community to tell us a little bit about their world.

After they finish their spiel, we collect another offering. And then on December 26, we're going to combine all the money and give it to the organization that receives the most votes. You do not have to be a member of TF to participate. So please read up on the organizations below by clicking the links embedded in their names and help us decide who to give the money to by clicking the comment section and typing option #1, #2, or #3. BIG thanks and WTG to all our non-profit friends doing awesome stuff in the community.

1. Hannah's Socks
2. Hospice of NW Ohio
   
3. Serenity Farm

Miss the Messiah?

In the summer of 1741 George Frideric Handel, at the peak of his musical prowess but depressed and in debt, composed Messiah in just 24 days. Although the work was conceived for the theatre, it has become common practice since Handel's death to perform Messiah during Advent—the preparatory period of the Christmas season. Last week I [along with nearly 1700 people in the Peristyle Theater of the Toledo Museum of Art] stood, just as King George II did when he first heard the movement known as the "The Hallelujah Chorus". The lyrics come from a few texts in New Testament book of Revelation:

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth [Revelation 19:6]. The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever [Revelation 11:15]. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS [Revelation 19:16].

If you missed Messiah at the Peristyle, you can hear it again at Toledo First Church on Sunday December 13 @ 7pm. I'll be there!!! Hope you are too. In the meantime, click the triangular play button below to see the impact Messiah continues to make. Even among teenagers today!!! Enjoy!!!

Thankful for PRS?

PRS [not PMS!!! Ha ha ha?] is how you become and stay Christian. You practice the presence of God 24/7 listening twice as much as you talk [prayer].

You read the Bible for a relationship not just research since Jesus Himself said all Scripture points to him [according to John 5:39]. And then, you do what you can to live grace. And when God opens the door, you share what you've heard back from Him.

That's it. Anybody telling you otherwise is selling you something. Are you thankful for PRS? Click the pic to watch, listen, or read any of the PRS messages in their entirety. Or click the triangular play button below to watch a few LOL ways NOT to share your faith!!!

Why Should We Spend Less This Christmas?

Because Christmas is not your birthday, it's Christ's [though he was probably NOT born DEC 25, we still celebrate his birth during this season]!!! And when Jesus was born, he only got 3 presents [see Matthew 2:11] — most of which a child wouldn't even like! But today, Americans spend $450 billion/year on Christmas. About $900/family. While only $10 billion could solve the entire world's water problem!!! [click triangular play button below to see how!!!]

So this year, I'm challenging my church to spend less and give more presence. In doing so, I'm not suggesting you not give your kids any gifts this Christmas. I'm simply suggesting that as parents, we give them no more than Jesus got! Three! Doing so will teach our kids that you cannot serve God and money. It will free resources to pour into the local church and non-profit organizations that need help. And it will remind us that Christmas and really, being a follower of Christ on every day, is about giving not getting.

If giving three gifts is too radical, perhaps you could:

• make some of your gifts instead of buying them [generations did it this way!!!]
• set a budget and commit to a no credit card Christmas
• consider drawing names instead of giving everyone gifts
• give one or two less gifts than last year donating the difference
  
• read Luke 2:21-39 and ask your family: what emotions did seeing Jesus arouse in Simeon and Anna? Why was Jesus enough for them?
• read James 5:1-6 and ask your family: what are some specific sins condemned in this passage? What are the consequences of putting trust in wealth or riches?
  
• rent and discuss the DVD What Would Jesus Buy? [click triangular play button below for a preview]

Can Music Help Us Pray?

Last time I talked about how Brother Lawrence in his [really] old school book The Practice of the Presence of God taught us that prayer is keeping company with God who is already present. And I promised you a few ways I routinely experience this kind of prayer beyond the meal and outside of church. So here you go. The first way is through nature [see my post on Geocaching for more info]. The second is through providential circumstances [remind me to tell you about those some time!!!]. And a third [of at least six I experience all the time] is music. But not just church music. All music. Which was a huge epiphany to John Bunyan’s church in the 1600s.

Because until the 17th century people had sung only the psalms and paraphrases of Scripture. Hymns introduced secular poetry into the church. And they were convinced that was evil. Even if the poetry overtly talked about God! Apparently, they weren’t aware that the Holy Spirit inspired the Bible writers to add at least 4 pieces of "secular" poetry straight into the Bible. There are probably more, but scholars agree at least these four places in Scripture were based on then well known secular poems or songs. They are John 1:1-18, Philippians 2:6-11, Colossians 1:15-20; and 1 Timothy 3:16.

That's why on my iPod and on my blog, there’s a continually rotating playlist of all kinds of songs that remind me about Jesus. I added some of my Thanksgiving Faves this week. So click the triangular play button to the right and listen for some for some of your own since Psalm 40:3 says God will "Put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD." What songs have helped you practice the presence of God? How has music of any kind helped you speak and hear from God? Ask me about how God used a Bruce Springsteen song to speak to me!!!

Who Loves Autumn?

I do! It's my fave season. Here's a few things we've been doing lately. The kids LOVED the hayride and bonfire a few weeks ago. Josh even got to drive the GINORMOUS John Deere tractor. We picked pumpkins in a field and took them home to carve. The kids dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood and Bumblebee the Transformer. Marty took me to a Monday night football game in Maryland. Too bad the Redskins got crushed! Our church hosted a bell choir concert with 1k bells! A film crew from a Japanese TV station filmed life in America from one of our church member's point of view including part of church last week. Barkley had anethesia to get his tiny sharp teeth cleaned. And Jackie and I went on a spiritual advance [a.k.a retreat] to a very quiet place with rowdy nuns and geese.

Still coming is Pinewood Derby NOV 14, Film Fest #4 NOV 21 in addition to a recap from the West Virginia mission trip, Little Minnow Awards, and another wedding NOV 21!!! What have you been doing? Who else STILL loves autumn?

A Spiritual Advance?

Some stores celebrate Christmas in July; this year we’re going to celebrate Easter in December. The winter season is ripe with imagery of death and rebirth—the journey from Friday’s crucifixion toward Sunday’s resurrection. And YOU are invited to experience this spiritual advance with me!!! [Editorial note: a "spiritual advance" is similar to a spiritual retreat, but I like this term better cause it implies going forward not backward with God!!!]

For guests there is no leading, just absorbing and eating and learning and enjoying!!! Meaningful hands-on children's programming will be available simultaneously by students from Andrews University so the entire family can be empowered to reach out in service that is loving, passionate, and eternal [click pic to register online or click here to download the brochure].

The cost for this advance is free, but we are looking for fifty people to donate $20 to help defray food and center rental costs. Please RSVP by December 1 to Dee Caulder at the Toledo First Adventist Church office: 419-882-6200 or email her at dee@toledofirstadventist.org. If you would like more information or if you are able to make a donation, please contact Pastor Rachel Davies at 419-320-3516. You do NOT need to be a member of Toledo First to participate.

Would God Have Us?

Over three hundred years ago, an uneducated cook in a French monastery known as Brother Lawrence discovered how to enjoy a profound awareness of God moment by moment, even in the midst of busyness and distraction. A little book called “The Practice of the Presence of God” compiled from his letters has been translated into English and become a classic on the devotional life permanently warping [in a good way!!!] my understanding of prayer. I used to think prayer was about making lists and asking for stuff. For myself and for other people. And certainly, that is an appropriate use of prayer. Or Jesus would have never encouraged us to "ask and you shall receive." But prayer cannot be limited to lists because prayer is about listening twice as much we talk! It's about the inevitable relationship that grows when we keep company with God. Not just at church or before meals, but during every waking moment of our lives. Listen to Brother Lawrence explain why:

There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God: those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it; yet I do not advise you to do it from that motive; it is not pleasure which we ought to seek in this exercise; but let us do it from a principle of love, and because God would have us.

Aren't you glad loves us like crazy and "would have us"! How did I not know when done unto God, that ALL work is sacred? How have I missed that every moment is prayer!!! Stay tuned next time for a few ways I've experieced God in prayer beyond the meal and outside of church!!! Click pic to purchase this [really] old-school stocking stuffer!!!

Why Don't You Unplug Too?

According to Dr. Monica Reed in her book Creation Health, your heart will beat 2.5 billion times and will pump more than 1 million barrels of blood throughout your body. It is important to note that between each powerful beat of your heart, it rests. This resting period allows the heart to “unplug” or “reload” to do the work of the next beat.

Likewise, you and I need to “unplug” or “reload.” We need rest. Science, however, wasn’t the first to discover the need for a cycle of rest. In fact, rest is part of the plan that our Creator gave to us at the very beginning. The book of Genesis tells how God provided for this rest. After creating every living thing including man and woman, Genesis 1:31 says, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” Then Genesis 2:1-2 adds these words, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.”

Was God tired? No! He was setting an example for us! He was building a rhythm of rest into our weekly cycle. Why? Because God knew we would need it! Families are falling apart. People are working too much for too long. Even care providers and health care workers who know our bodies need to rest are guilty of over working themselves. That’s a few reasons why once a week on Saturdays, my family unplugs for 24 hours. Literally. We turn the cell phones off and unplug the TV. We worship. We laugh. We play. We rest. Why don’t you unplug too?

Did God Stop Speaking?

God didn’t stop speaking. We stopped listening. So start listening. Prayer is not primarily about lists and requests. It's about keeping company with God. Last week, Jackie and the kids [with a friend] and I did this by going Geocaching. Have you guys ever heard of that? I hadn’t until last week. But Jackie had. And we all really enjoyed it. Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences with each other and if you want online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment [click pics for more info]. There are 927,257 active geocaches around the world and after typing some coordinates in our GPS, we found two more hidden at Wildwood Metro Park. We found a fox den, lots of leaves, and had a couple hours of fun. With eachother and with God PTL!!!

Can Christmas Change the World?

Rick McKinley, Chris Seay, and Greg Holder are right. In their book Advent Conspiracy [click pic for more info] they say, "Many American Christians have decided they can, to put it bluntly, love both God and money." Proof of this can be seen every Christmas. When we spend $450 billion/year each year. That's about $900/family. But what would happen if Christians proactively decided to spend less and give more presence this year? We could start by giving our children or grandchildren no more than three presents. Total. Since that's how many Jesus received at his birth. Or if that's too radical, consider drawing names or giving one less gift than last year. The time and money we save could be poured into local non-profit organizations like Haven of Hope or Serenity Farm.

Talking about giving, CS Lewis said it this way: "I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditure excludes them" [Mere Christianity, p.86].

Christmas changed the world the day Jesus was born in a cold, dark stable; Christmas can change the world again!!!