Haiti Mission 2010

Pray For Haiti Mission 2010

I went yesterday, and finalized all of my passport stuff for our Haiti Mission trip, and now it is just a matter of immunization and fund raising.  Our trip is scheduled for March 12th.  I desperately need your prayers that I will be mentally and financially prepared for this trip.  It has been many years since I have been on a foriegn mission field, however I still remember the toll it took on my body and mental state.  Seeing people in extreme poverty has a way of piercing your heart to the core. 

Continue to keep the people of Haiti in your prayers, and pray that they will not be forgotten.

Book Review: FRESHSTART

“FRESHSTART” God’s Invitation to a Great Life by Doug Fields teaching Pastor at Saddleback Church is a refreshing book on what it is like to live life afresh.  We are reminded that each new day we can begin with a fresh start. This thought provoking book will challenge you to be the person that God has created you to be.

“‘Stuckness,’” Doug writes, “was never part of the abundant life that Jesus promised.”  Indeed, He came so that we can move forward, “have life… and have it to the full” (John 10:10). (Back Cover)

This book discusses the topics of pride, conflict, dreams, redemption, and much more.  It even includes a journal and small group guide. 

I have always enjoyed Doug’s previous books on youth ministry, and when I picked this one up I wondered if he would really be able to relate to his readers on topics other than youth minstry, but FRESHSTART proves that he has the creativity to minister to his readers on all levels.  I was really encouraged by this book, and I would highly recommend it to everyone.  Each of us need to step back every once in awhile, and have a fresh start.  I even think highly successful people can use a fresh start.  So take the first step to your fresh start, and get this Doug Fields book “FRESHSTART”.

Book Review FEARLESS

“FEARLESS” by Max Lucado book description reads: “Imagine your life, wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, or doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, where you could trust more and fear less.”

That all sounds great and all, however while reading this book I found myself wondering when I was going to get through it.  It even caused me to question if I had lost my joy for reading.  To be honest I think it would be a great book for someone who hasn’t read a Max Lucado book, but for me it just seems the same as many of the rest.  So for those of you who might not have ever read a Max Lucado book, and you’re looking for something well written from a man with a heart for God this would be an excellent book for you, however for those of you who have read many of his books you should expect many of the same aspects in many of his previous writings.

Tooth Fairy Hunt

My son lost his first tooth in over a year last night, and he was so excited that the tooth fairy was going to come.  We laughed about it, and then I told him I was going to stay up, and try to catch the tooth fairy in a jar.  He laughed, and said “your silly dad, you can’t catch the tooth fairy he is invisible.”  The next morning my son found four quarters under his pillow, and the first thing my son asked is did you catch him.  I replied “no”.  He said “I knew you couldn’t put him in a jar.”  If only we had this kind of faith towards God.

I sat in the pew last night, and I heard an awesome message from my pastor Brandon Cox titled “You Can’t Keep God In a Box” from 1 Samuel 4-7  He discussed the Boxes we have for God, and the Alternatives to Boxed Religion.  He had multiple excellent points.  I would encourage you to check out his blog at www.brandonacox.com He is going to be releasing sermon notes and his audio sermon soon!

5 Types of Fighters for Resolving Conflict

Growing up with Muhammad Ali, Chuck Norris, Rocky Movies, and the Karate Kid, I’ve always admired boxers and the martial arts – their strength, agility, resilience, and determination. Something about the way they approached a fight fascinated me so much that I started training in the martial arts when I was 12 years old. I learned quickly that you have to train hard if you want to succeed. I also learned that through my time fighting in kickboxing tournaments that you have to fight fair. I remember one time I had to fight this guy that was twice my size; I don’t remember his name, but I remember the face like there was no tomorrow. He started using what is called a clinch and some dirty boxing along with some low blows which was illegal in the Kickboxing circuit. I got so frustrated with this guy, and because he was a local city boy crowd favorite the referee didn’t do a lot to stop it, and in the end the judges scored in his favor and I lost. Talk about mad. Here I was the whole time fighting fare, and I know I scored just as many points as he did, and he still won.

This is often the case when it comes to conflict, however many times we are the dirty boxers. Conflict is inevitable in relationships; when two unique and imperfect people come together, they simply won’t agree about everything. That’s why it’s critical that we learn how to deal effectively with relationship issues. No one really teaches us how to confront and resolve the impasses that life inevitably brings, especially in relationships. I think there ought to be a law that before you get into a relationship with someone, you have to take a class on resolving conflict. But even in friendship, teams at work/school, extended families, it’s tough to know when to hold your ground and when to throw in the towel. If you only had one month to live, you would want to know how to push through those issues and finally resolve conflicts with the ones you love.

The Bible provides us with principles for fighting fair, and it is the world that often times teaches us these dirty boxing techniques. When we use these dirty boxing techniques “People may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” – Carl W. Buechner

Read Ephesians 4:25-32

5 Types of Fighters

  1. Fight Posers– are far from resolvers, people who look tuff, but say, “There’s no way you’re getting me to fight.” This type of fighter avoids conflict at all cost, however this often times results in fragile peace, undermined relationships, shallow and fear based beliefs. Posers often times never find true intimacy which is developed by working through the tough issues.
  2. K.O. (Knock Out) Artist – one who’s fighting stance is “It’s my way or the highway.” This is the type of person that thinks they are always right, and that everyone else is always wrong. They tend to throw everything they got at their opponents, and they tend to always land their blows just right. While K.O. Artist usually win, the relationships go down for the count because the other person has no voice and will eventually quit trying.
  3. Tapout Junkies – these fighters are quick to quit or tapout when they get put into a bad position. This produces a false peace and ultimately creates tremendous bitterness in the person who always gives in and dangerous pride in the one who doesn’t. It’s not a healthy way to fight.
  4. One-Two Boxer – is committed to a give-and-take resolution. You win half, and I’ll win half. This type of relationship is healthier than the others, because each fight is more willing to stay in the ring because they will at least win half the time. However this is not the best style of fighting for dealing with conflict.
  5. Sparring Partners – this person is committed to being a teammate and helping their partners succeed. Each partner works together to develop one another’s skills. They work together to combat the opponent of conflict instead of trying to defeat one another. In the end both partners are victorious.

Which style of fighter are you?

How do you think this style developed?

What are some ways you can change your training method to be a better fighter?

Original draft format by Kerry & Chris Shook Boxing Ring

Top 10 for 2010

I am a little behind on posting this, but due to the arctic weather here lately I havn’ t had much of an opportunity to do so; so here goes.  We had a New Years Eve party at the house for all of our Refuge Students, and we ate pizza, watched Facing the Giants, played some Wii, and discussed New Years Resolutions.  The two that were most mentioned were Lose Weight and Get Better Grades.  Then I prioritized them based on importance, and came up with the Top 10 Refuge New Years Resolution for 2010.

1. Have a closer relationship with God

2. Pray more

3. Read my Bible more

4. Get along better with my parents by showing them respect

5. Get Better Grades

6. Be Nicer

7. Focus less on boys/girls

8. Lose Weight – Get in Shape

9. Get to work/school on time

10. Take better care of our pets / Help around the house more.