Closing out the year

2010 is coming to an end in just a few hours. This year has been a WILD ride with TONS of lessons learned...more renewed than ever is how faithful God is toward us. He is so good.

I grabbed the book "The Purpose Driven Life" and randomly went to a chapter...Here is the verse at the beginning of the chapter...

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Cor. 4:17

and the quote...

"It is the fire of suffering that brings forth the gold of godliness" -Madame Guyon

THEN the chapter closed with this verse...

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

GREAT VERSES to close out the year...

Christmas Weekend

What a fantastic weekend...We had our first Christmas Eve service and it was quite fun! We had more people at that service that the Sunday before...AND we had a LOT of visitors. It was fun to celebrate our Savior together. I loved hearing the kids sing...listening to the Christmas story...Jerimae, Travis and I just talking...sharing about our favorite Christmas memories and what God is teaching us right now...we sat on stools and shared fun stories...shared some deep stuff of what God is doing in us right now.

My two favorite parts of the night were when Kelsey played "O Holy Night" on violin...she hasn't played in 2 years, but no one would know...she plays with such passion and musicality...truly beautiful...really takes me to the presence of God. I miss hearing her play!

The other moment was at the end...we had the kids come on stage and sing "Happy Birthday to Jesus" and had balloons flying around...it was a true celebration!! VERY FUN!

Christmas with our family was WONDERFUL too...enjoyed watching the kids open their gifts this year...my kids even gave me $$ toward a new laptop! Their own money and their own idea! It was quite cool! Kelsey gave me a picture frame with a painting from Dave and Sue Griffith our missionaries...it is of the town where they serve and only a few prints were ever made! It is cool...putting it up in my office!

This has been a meaningful Christmas for me this year...Joseph has really stood out the most...especially with Kelsey being 7 months pregnant...thinking about all that Joseph did for Mary. All of the emotions that he must have been feeling...YET he followed through...he did what God told him to do and what was best for his wife. Truly a man of integrity and a man of God!

Christmas

A time of hope...a time to remember the amazing gift our Father God gave us in his Son Jesus...so grateful to God for creating us even though he KNEW that many would reject him. That ALL of us would sin...YET he made the ultimate sacrifice.

Last night Jaden and I were driving back from Prayer Encounter. Jaden and I were talking about things he would want for Christmas...it was really fun to listen to him. All of sudden though...in the middle of his list he said..."The best gift would be if someone gave their life to Jesus." He made my day! He nailed it! It is soooooo good to give and receive gifts...STILL the greatest gift we can give is JESUS! May we do that this Christmas and beyond...share the GREATEST GIFT EVER!

WOW

We had another GREAT NIGHT of prayer tonight...when we finished everyone just stayed and talked even longer. The group really has a heart for people and it is obvious. THERE WAS A LOT to praise God for...last week we prayed for jobs for 2 of the guys...this week BOTH MEN had interviews...one with a 3rd interview tomorrow. We prayed for people who don't know Jesus last week...AND on Sunday God brought someone to Jesus...AND other family that is planning to come on Christmas Eve and start coming to our church...

We pray for marriages...kids...teens...our country...for each other...we plead with God to move...sometimes we don't have as many answers to pray as we did this week, BUT we ALWAYS know that our Savior heard our prayers and that if we continue to seek him, we will find the answers and/or the strength to get through and thrive.

Bottom line...it is good to be in the presence of God and GREAT to do it with other people!!!!

Reflections

GREAT morning yesterday! All of the prep...the prayer...it was just good! We did a little time travel during the service! I jumped in my time-machine and went back 2010 years ago to the stable where Jesus was born. (It was VERY COOL making Mark and Dave be surprised when I showed up behind them in the back of the auditorium!!) Then we went back 700 year before that to Isaiah's time...the point? THE Creator God had a MASTER PLAN with YOU in mind! It is soooooo true! God's plan was revealed through Isaiah and then it happened with Jesus! INCREDIBLE! To think that Isaiah predicted what would happen 700 years before it actually happened...imagine if someone from the year 1310 A.D. predicted EXACTLY what would happen this year...EXACTLY! Not ONE detail missing...

BUT...we didn't stop there...we then traveled to a moment before time as we know it began...to a conversation between The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There was talk about creating a world...creating people...BUT allowing those people to chose to love God. Then there must have been a moment...a moment when the Father and Son didn't utter a word, but they just knew...they knew what would happen...It was IN THAT MOMENT...that moment that God had his MASTER PLAN in place...and he thought of us. Because he decided to create us KNOWING what we would do...knowing that some would reject him. It was VERY cool to think of that moment...it really moved me.

Then we closed it out...and the coolest thing happened. We prayed and had people raise hands...I couldn't see any for the lights, but after the service I got the rest of the story...see...a couple of years back at a communion service I asked people during a time of prayer to picture people that needed Jesus in the empty chairs around us. One of the ladies at the service came to me afterwards on Sunday and saved that about EVERYONE that she prayed for were at the service this Sunday...AND ONE OF THEM GAVE THEIR LIFE TO JESUS!!!!! AWESOME...AMAZING...INCREDIBLE!!!!

God is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good. soooooooooooooooooooooo good...soooooooooooo good!

Christmas

I love this time of the year...I love our family traditions...the concerts...people's homes all decked-out! I am soooooo grateful that God decided that we were worth having his Son come here...that we were worth the pain it would cause God the Father and Son to be separated for 33 years...glad that they didn't just decide we weren't worth it and destroy us. Glad that God wants to know us and wants us to come to him. Soooooo grateful.

My Goal!

Heading into the fall...I had 1 personal goal...it was to be thriving at the end of 2010. This fall semester has been EXTREMELY busy...my first thought was survival and honestly that sounded pretty good. BUT the more I thought about it...I wanted more than that. I had spent much of 2010 surviving and I WANTED MORE! To be thriving in my relationship with Jesus...thriving health-wise...thiving with Kels and the kids...growing...ready to jump into the new year. I PRAISE GOD for his strength through this fall. As the year winds down, I feel really well. Strong. Encouraged. Triving.

God is good.

In the trenches

Something is happening in the men of our church. This week the guys have been dropping by the church and there have been MANY conversations...Just AWESOME to see what God is doing in them! God is really working on the guys and they are rising up. They are being challenged...they are wrestling with how to live...The church needs men to not just sit back and watch, but to JUMP IN and begin to lead.

I was watching Braveheart last weekend...MAN THAT IS A GREAT MOVIE! The men in Braveheart would have done ANYTHING for William Wallace...they believed in him and each other. They protected each other...not just in battle, but with their words as well. The group of men here at Grace are men that I want to do battle with...guys I enjoy being around...and men that I know protect each other...that long to see the best out of each other...are willing to confront each other...take care of each other...it is a honor to serve with these men! Really love you guys!!

Prayer

I wrote a note and put it in my Bible a week or so ago. I put it in there as a reminder to share it with Kelsey. The message was simple..."Amp up prayer." That is it. Yep...doesn't sound to earth shattering...BUT I WILL TELL YOU THIS...it will be the difference as to whether we shatter the earth this year for Jesus OR get shattered! ARE YOU WITH ME!?!?!

Here is the thing...we have had momentum building at our church many times in the past 3 1/2 years. And every time...something happened that took it away...something physical/spiritual would take place and the momentum would die down. AND HERE IS THE DEAL...God is doing something fresh here again...there is a fresh movement of HIS Spirit through our church...AND we have to pray...and pray hard...this momentum will die if we do not continue to seek our God for strength, direction and power...we need to walk right into the throne-room of God and beg him...plead with him to give us EVERYTHING HE'S GOT to protect us...our marriages...our unity...and the work that HE is doing here...to guard us from falling into temptation...to give us the COURAGE to STAND OUR GROUND and when we have done EVERYTHING to STAND! (Check out Ephesians 6!)

Guess what?! Tonight more people showed up at Prayer Encounter than have been there in a year. My wife wasn't the only one to get the message of "Amp up prayer!" God is prodding our people to pray and THEY SHOWED UP.

I love you church and promise to be on my knees for you and with you. May God grant us the VICTORY THROUGH HIS SON!

Bonus

OK...I have a lot to say today! (BE QUIET! I know..."Boucher, you always have a lot to say!")

You never know how important a decision will be to people until after the fact...about a month ago the Goshen guys offered for me to go full-time in January. I LONG to be full-time and not split between two jobs. SO the thought of this EXCITED me! I honestly want to go full time...BUT something in me was just not content as we prayed about it. Kelsey and I WRESTLED with this in prayer...we prayed and prayed...we finally came to the conclusion that I need to finish out the school year and then go full time.

What I didn't know was how important this would be to some people in our church. Yesterday when I said that I would be waiting until after the school year, one man at the business meeting raised his hands like a touchdown and said "Yes!" Others mentioned to me that it was important for me to keep my word and finish out the commitment I made to the school system.

NOW...there are times when we simply need to drop everything and follow what God wants us to do. And this better be done with a GREAT DEAL OF PRAYER! I serve people at our church that hold high value on loyalty - commitment - and keeping your word. Those words aren't the norm any more...just look at college coaches..."I'm in...this is the school for me." Then a week later they are gone...

I think this also sends a message to our people right now...God has called me and my family not just to be a pastor...but to establish a group of people...a church...HERE in South Bend, IN...a group that is WORSHIPING...thriving...growing...REACHING OUT...AND PLANTING OTHER CAMPUSES...and I will not leave them in the middle of this battle...not when we haven't reach "maturity" yet...through the grace and POWER of God we will continue to establish Jesus' church here...AND we will do it together!

Reflections

LOTS of reflections on yesterday! LOTS AND LOTS!

-LOTS of snow outside and LOTS of icy roads here in SB!
-THEN I drive to Goshen and see green grass...CRAZY!
-TRAVIS STINKIN' MINER...a GREAT addition to our campus!
-Travis led worship and ended with "Free"...invited the Kidzone kids down to dance and sing as we closed the service! FUN!
-Why are people soooooo STINKIN' STIFF SOMETIMES!? HAVE A LITTLE FUN!!!! DANCE!
-I did enjoy Williams' and Tuttle lower their shoulders as I led the kids around...nothing like having a FULL-CONTACT service! (OH...I was WAY TO SMOOTH on my feet...they couldn't catch me!)
-The kids in our church are so cool!
-The video message "freaked out" in the middle 2x's...Jim was moving in fast-forward...which made sense since he was drinking a Monster drink...
-GREAT morning together!
-We had our first Grace SB business meeting...we now have elders and deacons at our campus...I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!
-I will be moving to full-time in June!!!! I am sooooooooooooooooo Excited again!!
-Cool to see people stepping up at our campus...VERY EXCITED!

"I've got your back."

I have heard those words...many times and from a variety of people...the truth is you don't know who really has your back until the battle of life intensifies. When things aren't going well...when everything isn't lining up...THAT is when you find out who really has your back.

In 2010...I learned some things about my friends...I learned some things about the leadership at Grace Community Church. I learned that when I am at my worst...when there just isn't a lot of passion...not a lot of vision...not much in me happening...these people truly have my back. They love me, not only for what I can give them, but also for me. And I am thankful for that!

Imagine working at a place...KNOWING that your boss and co-workers have your best interest in mind. Imagine that. IMAGINE...being involved in a church where the people really, really, really love you and your family. Imagine that. I don't have to...THAT could be one of the greatest lessons I learned in 2010. TRUST & LOYALTY. Really...really...really trust. To stand beside those your love even when it is not easy...to think the best in others...even when they hurt you...knowing that they may not be intending to hurt you. It is good to know that I get to live out life with a group of people at Grace SB who love Jesus, love people and LOVE me! AND I am grateful for our brothers at Grace Goshen...because it is same there!

"Thanks God for allowing me to be here...thanks for not letting me give up...for giving me the best church-family for me and my family! I love you Lord and am sooooooooo grateful!"

Reflections on LeBron's Homecoming

I was more than a little concerned about "my people" in Ohio and their response to LeBron's return...it went about as I thought and glad to hear there weren't any injuries! BUT after going on-line to check the score at halftime, I ended up with a leadership lesson! (OK...so I had to come up with something to take the place of the pit in my gut from the Heat DESTROYING my Cavs!!)

We often ask what the difference is in certain athletes...some seem to respond to the pressure, while others cave...some rise to the top while others, even those with AMAZING talent fall short. It is the same in business...church...life! Think about the hype for yesterday's game...unless you know nothing about sports, you have probably heard that LeBron DITCHED the Cavs for the Miami Heat...AND he downright embarrassed his HOMETOWN in the process. SO...this game...his first game back to Cleveland/Akron area was a HUGE game. There was a TON of build up...A LOT of emotion. Even LeBron admitted that he had A LOT of different feelings heading into the game. AND his former teammates did too...

BUT...what were the results? How did they respond to the pressure?

The great-ones somehow block out the distractions at game-time...they go to "that place" mentally...the one that allows them to separate themselves from the distraction and emotion...they let it feed them...BUT not to the point of "over-performing." LeBron did that last night...He played at the top of his game...he was being insulted...slandered...SCREAMED at...much less his own personal emotions of being "back home." YET he responded with his best game of the year.

MEANWHILE..his former teammates caved under the emotion...they allowed the emotion of the day to overtake them and they did "overplay." So much so that they got DESTROYED! Hence the difference between the great and the good...there are REALLY good players on the Cavs or they wouldn't be in the NBA...BUT the biggest part of GREATNESS is MENTAL TOUGHNESS.

Lessons learned here for all of us...how mentally tough our we within our own context? How much do we allow "outside" or even INSIDE distractions run our emotions and allow that to affect our living out life? Good things to think about...and definitely better than reflecting on the game and that LeBron was wearing the wrong uniform last night!!

Reflections

Weekend Reflections:
-Good to see family this weekend
-Kelsey sure makes AMAZING pies!!
-Fun games of ping-pong with my kids and nephews/niece
-Went through family picture albums...oh the memories!!
-Good to see A LOT of family back home!!
-Chloe is doing a project on the family tree on my mom's side of the family...interesting stuff!
-Major accident on the toll road...traffic was stopped for quite some time...did a U-turn to get out of it...
-HORRIBLE weather on the trip to Ohio...rained the whole way
-The kids do soooooo well traveling now...next year? SCREAMING BABY!
-The Buckeyes AND Irish won again this week. GREAT SATURDAY!
-Sunday was REALLY good...testimonies...praying...music...MORE testimonies!
-I love services like yesterday's service...when the "message" comes from the people.
-We have amazing people at this church...I love being here!
-Looking forward to this week...good things happening!

Cool Class today

This morning I asked my students what they do for Thanksgiving...it was very cool to hear their stories...I love families! We all share our struggles and our victories...we get to see each other at our best and worst. Yet...in the best of families we continue to love each other. We learn to say we are sorry...we learn how to put ourselves to the side and focus on others. It was quite fun really to hear the stories today...all of them were a little different...yet I could see in my student's eyes their love for their families. Some of them come from pretty rough backgrounds. I sure wish that I could just take them home with me...and allow them to jump in with our family. I pray for those kids...really love those kids! Praying for God to continue to use me in their lives. Good morning today...looking forward to seeing my family tonight!

POWER!

Preached yesterday on "Stepping Back...a call to Unity!" What a MORNING! The energy in the room was good...the Spirit was moving! Jerimae led our musical worship by himself...he hasn't done that in a long, long time...it was soooo good. Candles were lit...incense burning...worship had a depth to it...My message was a challenge to our church to step back and see the big picture. I shared about my Wild @ Heart journey...about getting out of the woods and sitting on top of a mountain...how freeing it was for 2 hours to pray, read the Word and journal on the side of a mountain...and being able to see mountain...after mountain in front of me. That is a lot like what God gets to see...he gets to step back and see ALL of the past and ALL of the present AND all of the future. As I sat on that mountain I remembered...remembered what God had done and is doing...and I began to dream about the future. In the weeks after that trip, God took me on a real journey of whether or not I was in the middle of his plan for my life. The cool part is that he answered YES! And I am thankful!

I told our people again yesterday that there is no other church where I would rather raise my family that here. I love the people here...I love their heart for God and each other...How they love and want to impact their community.

I closed out the message 2x's...sounds weird, but it really worked! The challenge was to live: United in Jesus...United in trust for God and each other...United in Prayer...United in ACTION! Then we did our announcements and talked about the outreaches we are doing and then we brought in new members.

THEN THE CLOSING WAS PRICELESS!

Last week the kids used an energy ball...it is a really cool thing! If 2 people are holding the ball, but not touching each other with their other hand it will not light up...BUT when you complete the circle it lights up...So there we all stood...everyone in the auditorium grabbed hands and it lit up...UNTIL someone let go...THEN the light went out...they would grab hands again and it lit up...then someone else would let go...You get the idea!

THE POINT...if we ALL are living in Unity with Jesus Christ...diving deep into his Word...if we ALL are United in PRAYER...seeking GOD...begging him to work in the our lives and the lives of others...if we ALL are UNITED in TRUST...trusting God and each other...AND we are UNITED in ACTION...BEING Christ to each other and our community...JUST IMAGINE WHAT GOD WILL DO THROUGH US...BUT...the key word here is ALL! WE NEED EVERYONE! EVERYONE! EVERYONE! And when that happens...only God knows what can be accomplished for HIS sake! Ummm....THAT is something I want to be a part of!!!!

Steppin' Back...

This afternoon I have been prepping for my message on Sunday. God has been prepping this message in me for a little over a month...each step of the past month has cleared the pathway for what he has stirred in my heart...Sunday we will be talking about "Steppin' Back...a Call to Unity."

I just took a break from my prep and hit a couple of blogs...one being Mark Beeson's blog...he is the pastor of Granger Community Church. I read his blog about 1x a quarter...and today was the day! He had to very provoking quotes...On from Scripture and the other from a church leader...

The Scripture...
Jeremiah 6:16 - This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."

Alan Hirsh Quote:

Alan Hirsch was quietly prophetic with his sober challenge to the gathered crowd. During the final session of the AND Conference Alan said:
"My passion is for the Church in the west. In Europe the lights are going out on the Church. Unless something miraculous happens, you'll see the light of the Church in Europe go out. So it will either happen in America, or it is not going to happen. The battle is won or lost here. I've bet my life on that. I've bet my movement on it. I trust the Americans will get it, shrink rap it, and deliver it to the rest of the world."
Anyone up for the challenge? The world is waiting...
Romans 8:18 - I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next.

Tuesday Night

Tuesdays saved me this year...not physically... but spiritually and emotionally. I meet with 2 different groups of guys on Tuesday nights...3 guys in the afternoon and 4 in the evening. One of the groups has been going through a book...Radical...and the other is studying Ephesians and Colossians. THE DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN UNBELIEVABLE!

When our groups first started meeting a while back, I left the discussions EXHAUSTED...spiritually and emotionally exhausted. I can't explain it...except to say that a spiritual battle has been raging around me for quite some time...and it has been intense! "Meetings"...good meetings...productive meetings...usually FIRE ME UP! I live off of them! But the past months, they have drained me.

BUT...

Over the course of the last couple of months, something has changed in me...something has been re-stirred up in my heart. Something has rattled me...yet...healed me. And the men that I meet with have been a HUGE part in that. WATCHING...listening to them...experiencing God along side of them. SEEING God move in their lives. INCREDIBLE! God is changing these men AND he is changing me! It has been such amazing conversation...

THE BEST PART?

IT DOESN'T STOP ON TUESDAY'S WITH THESE GUYS! They are working to live it out every day...they mess up...BUT they are bouncing back stronger and more in love with God!

So...why has this saved me? The life change in these guys has brought a healing to my heart. I left the church building late last night after a few meeings...and every one of them charged me up even more...I realized that God has "restored my soul." My longing for him has been restored for some time...now he is restoring my longing for the church...and I have these guys to thank...because of their passion for Jesus...their questions...their victories...their lives have given me new hope for what God is doing here. And it just feels good!

Commitment

Interesting word! There are different things that we are committed too...some are stronger than others...some we may be able to back out of, while others are a lifelong commitment. I have been thinking through this, especially over the past few weeks/months. I have made several commitments in my life that are UNCHANGEABLE...

-I am a follower of Jesus Christ
-I am married to Kelsey...so long as we both shall live
-I will follow the call God has made on my life
-I will raise my children in the VERY BEST way possible
-I will be a man of my word....that my word means something...If I say that I will do it...then to the best of my ability I will do it!

The first 4 are easier for me...the last one can be a wrestling match...there are times when we have to...due to life circumstances or a calling from God...back out of a commitment. Here is the deal for though...When that happens...I promise to bath that decision in prayer...to seek out wisdom through prayer, the Word and people that I dearly trust. Why? Because our emotions lie to us! If we focus on what we "want" or how we "feel" we could make a HUGE mistake. These decisions should never be taken lightly! And then...make the decision and move forward.

Stuff

Random Stuff roaming through my mind as the week begins...
-2010 has been a tough year
-I am thankful for 2010
-I have not been this excited about the future of Grace in a long time!
-God answers prayer.
-I'm glad God listens.
-WHat I wish? That God would answer sooner sometimes!
-The journey is worth it...and we must continue to enjoy the journey
-What if...nay...I'll save this for Sunday morning!
-2011 is going to be HUGE for our church...HUGE!
-I NEVER want to be content living off of the stories of the past...I want new ones...new ones of God's faithfulness and come through power TODAY!
-MEN...PUT SELFISHNESS ASIDE AND BE THE MAN GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO BE!
-MEN...STEP UP FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!
-It never stops amazing me that our church is 50% UNDER the age of 18! Happened again on Sunday!
-God has raised up some AMAZING children's workers! Simply Amazing!
-I ran 2 miles under 16 minutes Saturday...that is a new PH record! (2nd mile was 1 minute faster than my first!!)
-Jaden juggled a soccer ball 10 times last week. (Now I owe him DQ!!)
-Chloe swam a 200 BUTTERFLY at practice...BY HER OWN CHOICE! NICE!!
-We applied to school for Luke next year...wonder what will happen there?!
-Ever wonder why some people come from the worst of circumstances and make A WHOLE LOT out of their lives...while others who have every opportunity never accomplish much?
-I want to be an overcomer!
-Before I left school today I taught...Orchestra, choir and band...crazy schedule on Mondays!
-I learned something last week...I love being a pastor more than anything else in the world.
-Seeking God's wisdom on some decisions...sure wish he would make the answer so clear...so very clear
-My heart aches for people who struggle through addictions...it is soooooooo hard to walk through that...YET UNBELIEVABLY worth it
-Hey...whose responsibility is it to change your life? Husband? Wife? Mom? Dad? Children? Boss? Friend? THE RESPONSIBILITY IS YOURS!!!!
-If I could do anything in the world right now, do you know what I would do? I do.
Last night...there I was...driving to pick up a prescription at Walgreens...and I flip on the radio...a verse in Hebrews was shared...cut me like a knife last night...Oh...you want the verse? I will probably be sharing that on Sunday too...so you'll just have to wait!!

Reflection

Whoa...Yesterday was another KNOCK IT OUT OF THE PARK service...just powerful. The message was the 6th lie of our 5 Lies of Satan message series. (You got it...our 6 of 5...THAT is how we roll!!) This one was "There is only one way to God." OH...JIM BROUGHT THE MESSAGE! It was right on...moving...clearly putting it out there...AWESOME! The time of music was just good...real good. Travis and Angie Miner with their kids have started coming to our church...INCREDIBLY gifted couple who LOVE Jesus. He has a gift for leading worship...just flowed through the service. Um....it was just good.

THEN...we ended the morning with our first "2nd Sunday Lunch." Every 2nd Sunday of the month we are bringing in food and hanging out after the service. It was REALLY, REALLY good to see people connecting. (And not just connecting with their food!!) It was very cool!

GREAT morning!!

Umm...GREAT words!

Psalm 31 GRABBED me this morning...I'll let THE WORD speak for itself...

"In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth."

When you are done reading Psalm 31...CHECK OUT chapter 30...GREAT...GREAT words!

Respect

I have a great deal of respect for Pres. G.W. Bush...he had a VERY open and honest interview last night...he was honest about his shortcomings...about his decisions that he questions...he was straight-forward about the war...Katrina...economy...and his thoughts about Pres. Obama. I have to say I respect him even more after the interview...here was the BIGGEST issue for me...

When asked about Pres. Obama, Pres. Bush said: "President Obama has plenty of critics and I'm not going to be one of them." OH MAN! PRICELESS! Here is a man who was ATTACKED by Obama and many others throughout the campaign...criticized for the decisions he made...and now he is taking the high road. WELL DONE MR. PRESIDENT!

I'm sure that Pres. Bush has opinions...but he has also sat in Pres. Obama's chair...he knows what it is like to have millions and millions of people that you are responsible for...he has been there...I hope that he sticks to this...

It also made me think...what if those of us in the church did the same thing for our leaders? Both the leaders in our own church and other church leaders...What if we decided that we weren't going to publicly criticize their decisions....that we were going to either support or keep our mouths shut...especially if we have never had to make those decisions. WOW...

Reflections

Sunday. A day of life change for many people. Our service ended with people writing down their sins and then we burned them...took them outside to a fire pit and BURNED THEM UP! I pray with ALL THAT IS IN ME that people left those sins...addictions...struggles right there...that they allowed God to move in with his grace and forgiveness...that they will take RADICAL steps of life change!! POWERFUL Morning!!

All things...

"All things..." not some things...not a few things..."And we know that in ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

For too long I believed that "good" meant happiness...and that it had to happen here on earth...But I think that sometimes we won't see how it worked to the good until we get to heaven...sometimes it is something that happens within us...a strengthening of our faith. Whenever it happens...the bottom line for me is...HOPE! This verse is 100% about hope!!

Argh...Technology!

Nothing frustrates a good plan like technology!! This afternoon was one of those days for me...I had my afternoon planned out...lunch...then head to the office...I had my to do list for the day ready to go...including wrap up a couple things for the service on Sunday (OH IT IS GOING TO BE POWERFUL!!!!) and work on Kidzone stuff. BUT...I got a curve ball when I went to check my email. I couldn't check it...nothing there. Doesn't sound like a big deal except that the plan for Kidzone was emailed to me, so I couldn't work without it!! Sooooooo...1 1/2 hours later my email worked...only I lost ALL of my incoming emails from yesterday. Oh well...I "punted" and ended up having a very productive afternoon...just not doing the things on the original to do list! ;)

Even More Scripture from Sunday...

Psalm 42: 9-11

"I say to God my Rock, 'Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?' My bones suffer mortal agaongy as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, 'Where is your God?' Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so distrubed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."


People shared POWERFUL word from THE Word on Sunday...JUST POWERFUL!!

Soccer!

I LOVE TO COACH! And I especially love to coach my kids...nothing is more rewarding than watching a group of kids come together as a team...to see them develop their skills together. This soccer season has been fun...Luke's team is all 4 year old boys...they really got better this year. In our first 2 games this year we just got KILLED! Like 12-4...15-2...then they didn't lose for the rest of the season. The boys really learned the game...fun to watch.

Jaden's team was amazing...the boys were the most coachable kids I have ever coached. They worked hard and really enjoyed playing together. They were VERY FUN to watch...I taught them some things that I used to use with my middle school teams. VERY COOL...They went undefeated this year...excellent season...coachability goes a LONG way!!

More Scripture

A couple of more verses that were shared on Sunday...read them outloud to yourself...let the words PENETRATE your heart and mind...

Acts 20: 24..."However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."


Romans 8: 28...And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Power of THE Word

The Bible has power...all it has to do is be spoken and it can penetrate hearts...that was the case at service yesterday. We had a time when people could come and share a scripture...any scripture they wanted to share...I was in tears as people read...and thinking about the people who were sharing and the stories that are behind each of those scriptures...POWER! VERY moving...

Here are a couple of the verses:


Galatians 2:20:

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."


Proverbs 3: 5-6:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

THAT was cool!

Our message on Sunday was all about the Bible...why we believe that it is 100% true...where it came from...how we got it...and then Pastor Jim ended the message with stories of people people who had given up their lives...had died...protecting the Word. It was VERY powerful...I closed the service with a challenge to dive into the Word and encouraged our people...all of us...to read through Proverbs this month. After I dismissed everyone...something happened...something that has never happened like it. People just started clapping...TRUST ME...my closing was NOT the reason...it was far from worth that...I believe it was something that was inside of each person in the room...they simply longed to respond to the message...longed to thank those that had given their lives so we could have the Word...longed to thank GOD for giving us HIS word...IT WAS POWERFUL! VERY POWERFUL!

Great Quote

Saw this quote on a friends Blog..."You only fail if you never try. You never live trying not to die." It is from a song by The Afters...POWERFUL stuff right there! Really challenges you to think through how you are living your life and to make sure you DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE! To many times we focus on what we need to do to survive instead of making the most of the opportunity and circumstances we are in...

Ahhh....that felt good!

The Cavs won their first game of the season tonight over the Celtics...AND last night...LeBron and his Heat LOST to the Celtics...I know there are 81 games to go and the playoffs after that...BUT I WAS SHOUTING LIKE IT WAS THE FINALS! Just feels good after a LONG sports summer with the LeBron drama!

So for tonight...I'm taking my own advice and ENJOYING EVERY SECOND OF THIS WIN!!!!

What do you see?

I look at Chloe here...I think of the innocence in her eyes...the love...her heart for people...my mind just FLOODS with memories of my girl...I wonder what runs through her mind...I love that girl!

When you look in someones eyes what do you see? Can you sense their pain? Their excitement? Their hurt? Their innocence?

How would you react differently to someone if you knew what was happening in their life? If you could really look into a person's eyes and see their heart...their mind...

Let's be people that look into the hearts of others...that think the best in others...that long to bring the best out of others!

Reflections

We looked at the lie of Satan "Our past determines our future." We took time through the message to pause the video and pray...we prayed that we would be open for God to speak to our hearts...prayed for God to helps us to view ourselves the way God views us-to ask for forgiveness for selling God short-basically we gives us forgiveness and then we say, but we just can't do that because of our past. LIE! WE are forgiven and free...our future is not limited because of our past!

We stopped and prayed for God's forgiveness for how we view others...we give out too many labels...we look down on people because of past decisions...BUT if our God forgives...if he gives second chances shouldn't we as well? OF COURSE!! WE MUST FIGHT FOR EACH OTHER!

Great morning of worship...good to be together worshipping God together!

Spring-Time

I mentioned yesterday that I sense that I am moving out of a LONG winter season of my life...which means that Spring is coming....SO it is time for spring cleaning! Huh? I thought the same thing when it went through my head...but think about it...In the winter you simply try to live...to survive...to get through the cold-dark-snow storms and to come out of those ALIVE and your feet still under you...still holding on to your faith...And you NEVER...EVER should make life altering or big changes in your life during those times. At the least you have to listen well to those around you, because you really don't see things the way you should. If you have been through the winter you KNOW WHAT I MEAN!

SO...now that winter is coming to a close...I am taking a look with fresh eyes on my life...what I'm doing...how I'm living...where I need growth...what does the next stage of life look like for me. This is healthy, but it can be painful as well...sometimes it means letting go of things you care about...BUT it is also about a time of FRESH growth. Although Spring is BEAUTIFUL it is also a time of real work...plowing fields...turning up the soil...planting...watering...The cool part is...your faith is in the fact that the work you put in WILL create a harvest in late summer/early fall.

"Alright God...show me the next steps...the fields that need turned up...the things that simple need a little fertilizer and the things that need uprooted...show me and then give me the courage to act!"

Spring is here...(at least for me!!)

Stuff

Whoa...I really beginning to slack off on the blog!! Lots of stuff running through my head tonight...here are some of the things...

-God is faithful...no matter where he finds you!
-God has given me a freshness in my heart...it just feels good
-Kalahari was a BLAST! The bruises are worth it!
-YEP...I have ice on my leg right now from one of those bruises!!
-YEP...I would go ride that ride RIGHT NOW if I was there!!
-My heart aches for marriages that are really hurting...
-My heart is heavy with the weight of people's sin...and the hurt it causes others
-STAY FAITHFUL MY FRIENDS! STAY THE COURSE!
-Did I mention yet...that I'm thankful that God is faithful to forgive! There is hope!!
-It was very good to see my family this weekend...
-We revised our constitution for our church in 1 DAY...1 Day!
-The stake was good at the "constitutional revision party" too!
-I look forward to the changes coming for our church
-I appreciate mentors in my life...people willing to speak truth to me.
-Don't WASTE YOUR LIFE...you only get one!
-Invest your life well...PLEASE invest it well
-Be willing to make the tough decisions...do it!
-great discussion yesterday with a friend about the judgment seat...
-Am I willing to give up everything for Jesus? Everything...even my dreams? Even the things I long for? Am I?
-Those questions...they are eating at me right now...I don't like those questions
-I'm thankful for friends that I can "go there" and talk about that stuff with!
-DO YOU KNOW HOW STINKIN' BLESSED I AM?!?!?!?!?!?!? God is good.
-I am thankful for family...we are broken people...but we love each other
-Talked to my friend Tim Welling today...his mom Wanda passed away...she was an amazing woman...GREAT DAY to think about the legacy she left behind...and the one that one day I will leave behind.
-What if...what if...one day...you stand in front of God...and he asks you what you did with the gift of grace that he gave you...what if you don't have stories to tell? What will that moment feel like? I know...I know...he will wipe away every tear...BUT WHAT WILL THE MOMENT BE LIKE RIGHT BEFORE HE WIPES THOSE TEARS?
-I don't want to live with regret...I want to wring-out the most out of my life. Are you with me???? COME ON...

Kalahari!

The family is 13 hours and 12 minutes away from our Kalahari vacation! CAN'T WAIT! We are all very excited...and to kick off our fun weekend Chloe won her breaststroke race tonight!! She beat a friend of hers that she has never beaten before! I'm so proud of her...hard work pays off!!

NOW...it is time to unplug...no laptop...just family and fun! My parents...bro's family and Aunt Judy will all be there...CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Gave Blood!

I played drums on Sunday morning...it was REALLY fun to play...since we had a LONG service with testimonies and message we only did a couple of songs...Colin did a great job leading...THEN IT HAPPENED! I was playing "Not To Us" and I noticed something on the snare drum...IT WAS MY BLOOD! I had hit my knuckle on the rim and I was bleeding! IT WAS AWESOME!! OF COURSE I DIDN'T STOP, but just covered the "hole" with my little finger and kept playing...never missed a beat! Bleeding for Jesus!! (And a stained drum head and shorts!!)

Whoa...GREAT Sunday!

We started a new message series called 5 More Lies of Satan...this week's message was "It's just too late." WHICH IS A HUGE LIE! If we really believe that OUR GOD is who he says he is then it is never too late for God to do something AMAZING in our marriages...we started with this message because we had just come off of our men's retreat and the guys shared their hearts during the service. GREAT seeing what God is doing...

THEN the ending is what got me...We had window paint and challenged couples to grab it and write their names on our front doors...I challenged men to STEP UP and beat their wives up front to get the paint...to not expect them to lead, but to be the leaders...GUYS CAME FAST! One guy even tried to take mine out of my hands! (NO WAY THAT WAS HAPPENING!) It was cool...REALLY COOL...to see men stepping up!

LET's LEAD MEN! Let's work with everything in us to save our marriages!

Wild at Heart

Pastor Jim wrote a blog today on Wild @ Heart...summed it up well! Click here to read it!

Jump down...then read up!

The title says it! You need to read today's posts in order...it starts with "Where to begin" and then works its way up to this one...they really build on each other. So jump down to that one and read up...

I sure pray that God is working in your life in fresh ways...and I pray that the words that I have written today INFLUENCE you closer to our Savior Jesus. BE ENCOURAGED...God is NOT finished with you yet!!

By-By Winter...Hello Spring

The mountain top was truly amazing this weekend...the best part is that I was already spiritually growing before we ever left...God has been stirring up a fresh vision in me...a fresh hunger for him. I have been begging him for it.

So I wasn't surprised when I started a 2 hour walk with God on Friday morning that the doubts started to settle in...questions of me...my leadership...our church...As I walked through the woods I simple rebuked the enemy and my flesh and kept going...I came to a clearing...a place that I had never been before in my 4 years on that mountain...from where I sat down, I could see 10-15 mountains...some close and clear...some far away and they almost looked blue...it was beautiful...in that moment I started to write...writing down things that I was thankful about God...not things that I was thankful for in my life...but things that I was thankful for about him...I wrote A LOT!

Then God opened my eyes...reminded me why I ever became a pastor...reminded me of one of my first meetings as a church planter...of the vision to plant church ALL OVER Michiana to reach this community for Jesus Christ...I was reminded of how we need to STEP BACK and look at the big picture...at the mountain range from time to time...we need to step OUT OF THE WOODS and get a fresh look at where we are headed. It was sooooo refreshing.

Then...I headed back to the woods and instead of taking the path I started my own path...it was FULL of thorns and "prickly" bushes...I wanted to turn back and head to the path...I wanted to go back to where it was easier...BUT THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS TURNING BACK. Same goes for my work here...as far as I can tell...God is not finished with Grace Community Church...he longs for us to fall deeper in love with him...he longs for us to love each other...he longs for us to reach this community and for as long as I am able...I'll be charging that mountain!!

With that time...God renewed my love...my passion for his church...for his vision for SB...I have been praying for that for months...for a hunger for God...HIS church...and people that don't know him. GOD IS DOING THAT IN ME...so this looooooooooooooooooong season of winter in my life...the longest winter I have ever had in my life...a season of about a year seems to be coming to a close. And I'll tell you...I am welcoming the spring and look forward to what God has in store!!

NOT THIS TIME!

Last year at Wild @ Heart I was pretty tired...I had just started teaching again...we had closed on our lease for a new location for our church and I was worn down. I remember clearly when the competitions started that I really didn't want to jump in. I choose to do as little as possible. THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS LETTING THAT HAPPEN THIS YEAR! So...when someone had to volunteer to get in a cardboard box and go onto/into DISGUSTING green covered (No I really mean GREEN COVERED) water...I jumped RIGHT IN! I wanted it this year...There was NO BACKING DOWN this time around...then when the time came for a run through the mountains for another competition...I was READY! I would have started it, but Jim is a stronger runner than me...so I had to have him go 1st...but I wanted it! it was all I could do to NOT just sprint that last 1/4 mile and leave the team dragging...I WANTED IT SO BADLY...(We did a relay...1st guy started then tied a rope to the #2 runner-which was me-then tied to #3...4...5...running up a mountain with 4 guys tied together is work!! FELT GREAT!) It is FAR MORE IMPORTANT to be there for your team than to just sprint ahead...didn't want to hurt someone!! I'll tell you...there was no way I was stepping back this year...good to have the competitive fire blazing again!! I can't TELL YOU how good that feels! AHHHHHHHHHH! It feels good!!

More in the next post!

BTW...washing off the pond scum in rusty water just doesn't cut it...would I do it again though?! IN A SECOND!

Where to begin...

The past week has been a blur...we were gearing up for Wild @ Heart...our men's retreat to the mountains of western Maryland...getting ready for Sunday...soccer practices...just BUSY!

Wild at Heart was INCREDIBLE...watching men come together...having a BLAST together and learning to take steps to be better leaders in our homes and church. AMAZING! Friday night...listening to men POUR THEIR HEARTS OUT in sharing struggles and then repenting of their sin...I NEVER GET TIRED OF THAT! Competitions were soooooo fun...I'll do another blog on that! Then the ride home...UN-STINKIN'-BELIEVALBE! Best conversation EVER! The guys that went...GOD IS DOING SOME CRAZY STUFF in their lives! It was fun to be involved with it! WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND!

TEAM

It has been soooo fun to watch Jaden's soccer team develop this season...the boys are playing together...unselfish soccer...today we had MANY assits for goals...good aggressiveness. The kids are REALLY coachable and learning how to play the game...at one point we even had 2 quick passes that resulted in goals. TEAMWORK!! Another thing that is fun is how they cover for each other on defense...I allow several of the boys to make runs from the defensive side because I and they know that their teammates will cover for them...

MAN...are there lessons we can learn from these boys...teamwork...unselfishness...covering for each other...letting others have the glory...very cool!

P.S. Jaden scored 4...assisted on a couple others...and had two other shots off the post!!

Sunday is coming...

I am soooooooooooo looking forward to Sunday morning...I simply CANNOT wait! I will say this...if you are in the South Bend area...GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH SB is where you want to be...you'll be encouraged...you'll be stirred up...I have been preparing for it! See you there!!

WOW!

My last post spoke to how amazing my meetings were yesterday...well I had one more! 5 guys...sitting in a circle...pouring over the scriptures...our plan was to talk about ALL of Colossians 2 in an hour or less...instead we made it through 5 verses in 1 hr. 15 minutes! The conversation...the prayers...we are REALLY seeking how God wants us to live...REALLY seeking God...it was deep...moving...powerful to talk with these guys about the Word of God! I am soooooo blessed to be involved with a group...with a church that longs to study the Word like this...that has a hunger for Jesus like these guys do!

GUYS...GREAT living life with you...praying for you! PRAY and then OBEY!

Day of meetings...REALLY REALLY good ones!

My day has been FULL of meetings! Taught classes this a.m. at school...had a meeting about a student in the middle of that...then the staff came over from Goshen and we talked. Oh...it was good to talk...CRAZY jumping into that convo exactly 20 minutes after I left school...BUT I'LL TELL YOU THIS...some good stuff was talked about. Some intense stuff...I have been praying for some time for God to show us what HE wants His church to look like...what HE wants us to be doing. At one point in the meeting Jim asked me..."what do you think needs to happen time..." In that moment I really considered spewing out a bunch of thoughts and ideas...and they would have CLEARLY been worthless...instead I simply said..."I don't know." And I didn't...in fact it has been quite frustrating for me lately...I usually know where I'm going! Since December of 2003 when I prayed and asked God to give us a pinhole of what he wanted us to do as a church...and when the words "church planting" were that pinhole...I KNEW where I was going and little by little God made that pinhole bigger and bigger...God continued to open that door it became clearer and clearer what his direction was...when detours happened he made it clear which path to take...Then 2010 happened! That direction has been SHUT OFF for me for quite some time...There are seasons in our lives and this has been my longest season of winter EVER! I am soooooooo ready for spring to come in my life! I feel that I have been in the winter for TOO STINKIN' LONG! So I have been asking God for a new pinhole...a new direction...his direction...I have been praying for a greater passion for God...the lost...and HIS church!

GUESS WHAT?!?! When you pray a prayer like that...GOD RESPONDS!!!!

A hunger has started in my gut...a new and fresh hunger for his Word...THEN our staff meeting happened this morning...THEN...I met with Colin and Ben...I'm about to come out of my skin this afternoon!! Just an anticipation of what God has been doing behind the scenes that he is starting to show me! All I need is a pinhole...that's it...just a beginning of a picture and I will charge that mountain! And I believe that God is starting to reveal that...he is beginning to reveal that pinhole...and ONCE AGAIN he is using HIS Word AND HIS people to direct me and HIS Church!

Hog Roast

FUN afternoon at the Hog Roast! Fun to have my parents there too! And yes...it was fun even though I lost for only the 2nd time this year at Corn Hole...AND lost for the 1ST TIME EVER at Grace Community...Dave Williams & Jerimae Yoder took Will Dettman and me apart...it hurt!

Dave and Sue Griffith shared along with their co-workers Michel & Dominique...AWESOME to hear their hearts...they have seen MANY come to Jesus in the past year...I had tears in my eyes as they shared about the number of souls saved and people baptized! PRAISE GOD! YEARS AND YEARS of planting seeds and they were able to see the harvest. I am so excited for what God is doing through them in France!!

Rusty and Kari did another fantastic job hosting this...probably over 200 people there...so much fun!! THANKS SOOOOOOOO MUCH for a fun day Tuttle's!!

Reflections

HUGE weekend! Sunday morning was simply AMAZING! Our time of reflection at the beginning of the service was like hitting a "reset" button for all of us...and it was a perfect fit into the message which was on Unswayable Courage...I got to speak this week...I enjoy it...Spoke about the fact that since we are made in God's image (Gen. 1!) then wouldn't he want to be pursued in many of the same ways that we should pursue our spouse. Think about it...Gary Chapman wrote A LOT about the 5 Love Languages...that each of us wants to be pursued through our love language...and that at times we want to be pursued by each of the love languages...So this week...we turned it to God...how can we pursue him and show him love? Through...

1. Words of Affirmation
2. Giving Gifts
3. Touch
4. Acts of Service (just read Matthew 25!!!!)
5. Quality Time

Touch was a tough one at first...then I studied Matthew 25 a little more and it hit me..."whenever you do these to the least of these brothers of mine..." OH MAN! When our church hugs on Soccer Camp kids...when we share life with people at Community Hope (Community Hope is a monthly morning when we pass out food vouchers to struggling families) When we touch these people...hold their hand in prayer...give a hug...IT IS LIKE HUGGING GOD! IMAGINE THAT!!!!

Quality Time also really grabbed me this week...how much do we REALLY dig into the Word of God? Are we in love with our love letter from God to us...his VERY OWN WORDS!!! Are we?

Closing Challenge...

-PRAY for a hunger for God
-MAKE time...schedule the time to spend time with God
-DO IT!

Sounds simple...the question is...did you do it today? Did you carve out time for our Savior...to spend time with him? GO DO IT!

Things I miss...

OK...this is a random post, but it is stuff that popped in my head...and they are DEFINITELY not all connected...very random!!

Things I miss:

-Old friends...both from High School...college and beyond...people that have meant a lot to me, but I don't see or talk to much
-Coaching Middle School soccer...not the schedule...but I miss the kids and the competition...it was like a "release" or hobby for me...just not enough time!
-Family...with working most weekends it is hard to get back home!
-Ice Cream...I have hardly eaten ANY ice cream in the past 7 months
-Iced Coffee...ESPECIALLY Panera's I.C. Mocha...ON MAN!!
-Playing basketball...just don't get to do it much anymore...
-Manchester High School football games...ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Go Panthers!! (that's my high school team...the team basically never loses...Nothing like Panther football on a fall night...with the band of course!!)
-Grandma and Grandpa Messner and Uncle Bob
-A healthy wife! I keep telling her that this will pass...but I know that it is such a struggle for her to not feel well!!
-Cloth diapers...oh wait...no I don't! BUT I'm going to have them again tooooooo soon!
-A baby's little smile...
-My kids funny words they said when they were REALLY small
-Prime Rib
-Eating LOTS of hamburger!

I have absolutely NO IDEA why this stuff jumped in my head...and no...I'm not depressed! I'm having a TOTALLY AWESOME and PRODUCTIVE day!!!! Just random things that jump into the mind of Tim Boucher!

Parents...Preaching...Hog Roast...Griffiths

My parents are driving over from Ohio today...looking forward to seeing them...we don't see each other a lot and it will be fun to have them here to watch Jaden and Luke's soccer games tomorrow...good stuff!

Sunday I'm preaching on Unswayable Pursuit...CANNOT WAIT! God has really been stirring up in me and it will be good to share that on Sunday...after the service we head to the Tuttle's for a Hog Roast...that is ALWAYS a lot of fun...good time hanging out...a couple of churches come together and some of their other friends and family...GREAT TIME! Dave and Sue Griffith will be here for that too...their missionaries to France that we support...they have one of their leaders here too...they have seen A LOT of people giving their lives to Jesus in the past year...it has been VERY COOL to see what God is doing in and through them!

Bonus Stuff

Got another thing...There are two questions that are haunting me right now...(actually there are a few more, but I'll stick with 2!)...

1. Is HIS Word enough?

No really...is it? Is God's Word enough for me or do I think that I need something else? Do I have a hunger for his Word...a hunger that pushes me every week...every day to seek out the truth of God and how that will impact the way I live...Is THE WORD enough...I'll tell you...this has been CONVICTING over the past couple of days!

2. How will I be known?

Studying Colossians...Paul writes in chapter 1 how "he has heard..." about the church there...how he has heard of their great faith...I wonder...what are people hearing about Tim Boucher...if a friend from the past runs into someone who is with me consistently today...what would they say to each other? I pray that my friends will be able to write me as Paul did..."Tim...GREAT to hear you are still faithful to the call of God! To your Savior!" I pray that for you too! How will we...better yet...how are we known?

Stuff

Random and not so random stuff floating in my head...
-September is over 1/2 GONE...CRAZY!
-That means...Wild @ Heart is coming soon...CAN'T WAIT!
-Also means Kalahari is coming soon...CAN'T WAIT!
-Cried as I prayed through our building today...a fresh sense of longing for God to move...pretty cool
-SPEAKING OF COOL...our men's group is ROCKIN' COOL! We studied and studied the Word last night...BEST conversation on the Word that I have had in a long time...AMAZING...POWERFUL! Very cool!
-Great group of guys coming on Tuesday nights...if you are free on Tuesdays and you're a guy...COME ON OUT!
-BTW...Rob and I remain UNDEFEATED in Corn Hole...just FYI! (Playing for fun of course!)
-It is so great to see men praying for each other...the guys really shared STUFF that is happening in them...MAN IT WAS GOOD!
-My band class has A LOT of work to do! I still have 1/2 of the class without instruments...I told them that if they bring ANY $ in I would let them use an instrument...STILL 1/2 have not done ANY!
-I love watching students learning instruments for the first time...
-My choir is performing a song THEY PICK this week...they picked the song...found the accompaniment...PRODUCED the song...dress for the song...created dances...props...fun to watch them
-Had to apologize to my choir for being impatient yesterday with them...told them that it is important that adults admit when they are wrong too! Hope that grab on to the lesson!
-I CANNOT WAIT TO PREACH ON SUNDAY...CANNOT WAIT...CANNOT WAIT! I am soooooooo ready and it is just Wednesday! God is doing some stirring in my heart!
-Had people step up to serve...looking forward to seeing them thrive!
-We prayed for Mike Nyhius as he took a worship pastor position in Bremen. Cool to see one of our own going into full-time ministry!
-Spent my run this morning thanking God...saying thank you to my Savior...it feels so good to do that!

Reflections

Great weekend...except for a few hours Saturday night and Sunday morning! I had a 12 hour "something" that really rocked me. I made it to service on Sunday, but felt HORRIBLE...hands shaking...just not fun. Saturday evening was about the same...not sure what the deal was!

BUT...by Sunday late afternoon I felt much better and was able to play HARD with the kids...made it a GREAT way to finish off the weekend.

A few thoughts from the weekend...

-GREAT service...Colin and Jerimae led...VERY GOOD!
-Unswayable Loyalty...POWERFUL POWERFUL POWERFUL!
-Nothing like standing on the other side of obedience
-People who are loyal stand up and stand out
-Loyalty will cost you something
-What would happen if we only had an audience of one? And the one was GOD! How would that change how we lived and make decisions?
-One day...one day...God will look at us and say "well done." THAT should be enough for us to stay loyal to him!!
-GREAT message!
-Direction meeting after the service...had several step up and jump into ministry...very cool to see!
-McKinley School invited US to come to an event they are having...how cool is that!!
-They also are giving us the freedom to come and volunteer at the school...STEP UP!!
-The principal at the school is AMAZING and works hard to develop the community and her school. VERY proactive lady! WE are BLESSED to have her in the school system!!

Family

I have been told countless times by parents with grown children..."Enjoy them now...they will grow up before you know it!" I sure try to keep this in mind. Today, Luke jumped on his bike and rode while I ran...I don't know if you have ever tried to exercise with a 4 year old on a bike, but it is not consistent running! BUT it sure was fun...we talked...we watched the tree trimmer truck...we looked for acorns...AND still he rode for 2.4 miles...the time was priceless...I LOVE spending time with my kids...I LOVE listening to them...I am working hard to slow myself down enough at home to be there even more for them.

Oh...one more thing...I LOVE the name "dad!" Just LOVE IT! When my kids say "dad..." it just LIGHTS ME UP! I have been blessed with 3 AMAZING children...I CANNOT WAIT to meet #4!!

Sluggish, but not anymore!

I woke up yesterday morning feeling AWFUL! I went for a run and needed to walk part of it...(something I learned over the past months...it's ok to walk and stop sometimes! No really, Tim...it is!!) Still didn't feel well at school and for part of the afternoon...but as the day wore on I started feeling better and better...

Then I figured it out! BAM!! (OK...Rusty said it and I'm claiming it!) I ate dinner...a big dinner late Monday night...(boys had soccer practice...) and eating that much that late is just not good...doesn't give you time to digest it before the a.m. Lesson learned...still will have to eat late dinners, just WATCH WHAT YOU EAT BOUCHER!

Wondering how often this happens in our spiritual lives...how often we eat the wrong junk "of the world" at times and wonder why we feel so far from God...we stop praying or are too busy to read the Word and then wonder why we are spiritually sluggish?

TAKE SOME TIME TODAY WITH GOD...Read...Pray...prayerwalk...fast...sit in silence...thank him for 25 things...50 things! WHATEVER...just take some time with your Savior...make sure that your intake is healthy and for a healthy amount of time!

Reflections

Powerful message...Unswayable Courage...a willingness to step out...to charge the hill that no one believes you can win...lots of challenging nuggets in the message...LOTS!

-Courage happens when people walk through fear
-Discourage: taking courage away from someone
-Encourage: pouring courage into people
-If you don't have fear you'll never have to be courageous!
-Remind yourself of times when God came through for you in the past
-Courageous people believe that God is for them
-What is the last thing that you did for Jesus that cost you something?
-Are you a coward? Then you better read Revelation 21:6-8!!
-Courageous people do the unthinkable
-Stop listening to the negative voices
-We MUST live DIFFERENTLY!
-Don't settle
-God is ready to supply us the power...
-Are you satisfied?
-What is next?

GREAT questions...and a great follow up to a discussion I had last week with my friends Ben and Colin...we talked about the kind of men we long to be in 10, 20, 30, 50 year...what characteristics do we want to have? Will we still be following God? Will be be risk takers? If God gives us that much time...how do we want to be? THEN...how do we need to live today...Good stuff!

Playing in the rain!

First day of soccer games for Jaden and Luke...Jaden gets to have a goalie for the first time...his team is strong...some VERY good players...work the ball well...we won 5-2...solid game...AND IT ALL HAPPENED IN THE POURING DOWN RAIN!

THEN...as if that was not enough...Luke had his first game ever in the rain...trouble was he was out in it for Jaden's game (it was barely sprinkling when we left) and got out to warm up about 10-15 min. before gametime...he was FREEZING and COLD! Our team got a good beat down...they are learning and mostly had fun! We only had 2 kids at the start of the game (3 play at a time), so we borrowed a player from the other team. Crazy first day, but it sure is fun to watch the boys develop!!

Now the boys have been in the "bath-shower" (shower running, but the drain closed) for 20 minutes...I'm in my Buckeye sweatshirt and hood up...hands are still cold 45 minutes after the game...AND GUESS WHAT?!?!! I'd go do it again in a SECOND!!! I LOVE THIS!!

Soccer...coaching...rain...being a dad...PRICELESS!!

6 months and counting

A little over 6 months ago God got my attention in a way that I never expected...I knew my family history...I knew that I had GREAT potential to have a heart attack someday...but I felt pretty stinkin' invincible. Oh...I wouldn't have said that...but that was how I lived.

I remember saying at the time of my heart attack..."I think in 6 months that I will be better than I've been in a long time."

So here I am...6 months later...and thankfully I was right...God is UNBELIEVABLE! I feel better and think I have better perspective than I've ever had. I'm probably the healthiest I have ever been in my life...I am feeling stronger and stronger...God is good.

The journey over the past months has been much more difficult than I ever would have thought...I anticipated the physical part...but it was the emotional and spiritual part that surprised me...there have been some extreme lows...the lowest point being back in May and early June...wasn't sure that I had much left to give. God has forced me to do some soul-searching...to really go down to the depths of who I am...challenging me to be a better man...

Physically I feel great...My energy is better...I feel that I can focus more in meetings...I'm even enjoying meeting with people more now! I used to be ENERGIZED by meetings, but until about a month ago they would DRAIN ME...I just felt like I couldn't focus when I talked with people...I didn't really want to meet with people because I knew how tired I'd be afterwards...I was concerned about starting school honestly because I wasn't sure if I could handle all of the talking...singing...meeting with people. BUT once again God is faithful...not a surprise there! I'm beginning to feel ENERGIZED again by POURING my life in others!! God sure comes through when we need him most!

Then there is the "passion meter." I have been BEGGING God to restore my love for him...HIS church and the lost...and it is starting...a new-fresh fire is beginning in my heart and it feels good. Looking forward to seeing how God continues to stir me up!!

My family means more to me now than ever...I see with fresh eyes how blessed I am to have Kelsey as my wife...to be able to be a dad to Chloe, Jaden and Luke...AND baby Boucher...I realize more now how important it is that I give them my best...that I save my best for them...I am grateful that our God sees it in his provision to have Kelsey get pregnant AFTER my heart stuff and to have the due date 1 YEAR TO THE WEEK of my attack...our God is good...how great is it that we will have that new memory for the end of February-beginning of March! He is sooooooo good.

Mary Jo

I started this post last week...just couldn't get through it...then this past Saturday Mary Jo Kaser...a teacher for 37 years with SB Schools...passed away. She was only 59 years old and died of cancer...She had a HUGE impact on my life!

All people that you meet influence your life...some impact you deeply...then others help to shape your future in ways that you don't even realize at the time. Mary Jo was one of those people for me. When I first met her about 10 years ago...I wanted to teach and live in the South Bend area...I had been teaching in Bremen and living and going to church here in SB...Kels and I had prayed and prayed and decided that SB was for us...so I contacted Mary Jo about getting a job here in SB. I had never met her before but had heard AMAZING things about her...they were all true!

Mary Jo worked hard to get me into the school system...and since I have been teaching here she has been a BIG encouragement to me...her passion for kids...teaching...in making things the best possible for her teachers...she was AMAZING. Her "job" was "Fine Arts Curriculum Facilitator" and she was fantastic at her job.

When I was looking to become a pastor and needed to move to part-time teaching, she worked HARD to help me make it happen...THEN...after leaving the schools for a couple years...last fall...she worked and worked and worked and worked to help me find a job that would fit with my schedule...GOD USED HER to get me 3 jobs over the past 8 years...and those jobs allowed me to continue to follow what I believe God has called me to do.

When I took time off, I would occasionally stop by her office in downtown to talk...see how life and the schools were doing...every time I left there, she encouraged me...

I will miss those talks...her laugh...her encouragement...I hurt for her boys and her grandchildren...I ache for my fellow teachers and administrators that loved her...timing doesn't make sense...she is still young...I know she will be greatly missed...deeply missed...she invested her life in people and it showed yesterday at her funeral as MANY came...tears flowed from my eyes as I watched her family...it also made me thankful...thankful that our bodies and her body is only a tent...that her spirit was not there...she was with her Savior...I was also glad that I had the opportunity to know her. I'm a better person because of it!

Luke's First day

Luke went to preschool for the first time yesterday...he was sooooooooooo excited and did great! I'm so proud of him. I think Jaden is even prouder...he prayed "Lord, help Luke have a great time at my preschool like I did." It was adorable!

Lots of firsts for Luke in the past week...1st soccer practice...1st day of preschool...1st Soccer game will be Saturday! Cool!!

Reflections

I started reading the book Radical...going through the book with a couple of guys...going chapter by chapter...I usually devour more at a time, but really want this book to soak in...got through chapter 1 last night...ripped me up...I haven't stopped thinking about it. The subtitle to the book says: "Taking back YOUR FAITH from the American Dream." And it is written by a pastor of a LARGE church...As I read the first chapter it really stirred up some emotions that I haven't felt in a while...it reminded me of another book..."Holy Discontent" Something is happening down in my gut...in the depths of me that I have longed for, for some time...a stirring...a longing...

After reading the first chapter a quote a friend said recently came back to mind...we were talking about Keith Green...Jim Elliot...Rich Mullins...talking about people that passed away "before their time." Jason (my friend) said something that stuck..."Wouldn't it be better to only live for 30-40 years and live for something...have your life mean something...than to live for 70 and do nothing." Ooooo...that grabbed me...I would rather die...would rather give up my life serving the God that I love than live "comfortably" for 70-80 years...AND if God chooses to give me 70-80-90 years...then think of the influence I could have for him...the lives that are impacted.

So...after chapter one...here is the deal for me..."Tim...make the most of each day...no really...with the influence you have...with the people that are around you...make the most of today...whether that is 1 or 1,000,000...make the most of it...ETERNAL treasure...ETERNAL treasure..." I dedicated my life to that years ago and I confess that I've lost sight of that over the past year...I have become focused more on what I don't have...on what I wish that we had...on what I and our church could do if.............instead of focusing on what we have and making the most of it...(sounds like a parable on the talents!!) it is time to get back to making the most of every day and every moment. TODAY...that is what is important. LIVE Today...it may be all you have left before you see your Savior.

Can't wait for chapter 2!

Plans...

I had a plan coming into today...Teaching in the a.m. Have lunch with a GREAT friend and key leader at Grace...pick up orchestra and band book on my way to the office and then jump in at the office and get things ready for Sunday and for teaching Kidzone this week.

WELL...the morning went according to plan...then my bud Travis called (and I AM SOOOOOO GLAD HE DID!) and asked if I could meet him and get the laptop to him for Sunday morning. We planned to meet after my lunch...well...I knew that Ericka needed the bulletin off of the laptop, so I turned on the laptop while I waited for my friend to arrive for lunch...ONLY THE LAPTOP IS NOT WORKING! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!! This is not just a laptop, but THE laptop that runs ALL of our media for our service on Sunday!! I quickly sent a text to Travis saying that we couldn't meet...had lunch...(GREAT talk at lunch!!)...

As I left I quickly got on the phone to solve the laptop issue...of course you may wonder..."why not use your laptop or Jerimae's?" Well...my laptop is not working correctly either and Jerimae is out of town!!

Long story, just a little longer...we now have a functioning laptop for Sunday. (Thanks Scott Avey!!) But I have NO IDEA what we will do next! Hopefully we will be able to save our info from the laptop...

So...I had a plan, but I sure had to punt! Keeps life interesting!! And of course...everything worked out in the end and will work out in the end, just not the way I planned it!

AND...I know what you're thinking now..."TIM...what are you doing blogging when you have so much to do!!??" Yet another GREAT question!!

Later!!

Stuff...

Stuff running through my head right now...
-GOD is SOOOOOO good
-6 months since my heart attack...
-Feeling better than I've felt in a long time
-Not to us but to the GLORY OF GOD! WHAT A GREAT SONGS!
-I love my kids...love watching them grow up...love helping them learn how to live this life...love that they love Jesus!
-Went on a walk with Chloe last night...PRICELESS
-Saw the most amazing sunrise EVER on Sunday...just stood there for a while...POWERFUL...BEAUTIFUL...AMAZING
-A lot of people that I know have family that are passing away from cancer and other sickness...some are "too young" to pass...
-I know the theology behind it, but sometimes...I wonder why God allows such good people to suffer.
-My heart hurts for my friends...
-What is it...what is it that just gets people wrapped up in addictions...I long for people to RUN...SPRINT...in the other direction...to be willing to suffer the short term PAIN of giving it up for the long term benefits!
-I can't wait for Kalahari next month. (Yep...my mind likes to get out of the tough stuff and think of something fun!!)
-Zeke...my dog...got hit..."bumped" by a car today...he just ran out of the house and into the street...he is limping pretty good...blessed to be alive!
-Our neighbors...Jason and Gail...are moving this weekend...they will be VERY MISSED. They are the kind of people that make our city a better place!
-Music is LOUD in the office right now...just got done prayer "walking" or jumping...shouting through our church building (bet you wish you could have seen that!!) I long to see God move here...to restore marriages...heal sickness...people to run from sin...from addictions...for friendships to be restored...for people to come to know Jesus RIGHT HERE...for the walls to not be able to contain what God is doing through HIS church...
-I'm glad God loves me...glad he is patient...glad he forgives...and gives strength and POWER to us
-I have been tired this week...teaching choir is the one that takes the energy...it is like preaching on Sunday...48 minutes of pure ENERGY! And don't think there is not spiritual warfare happening in the classroom!
-Imagine this...if I wasn't teaching...I wouldn't have the opportunity to influence the lives of these kids and their families...
-The more I talk with people...the more I realize how blessed I am to have a job...much less 2 jobs and 2 jobs that I like!
-Did you make it this far?!?! Still reading?!?!?
2 Bonuses then....
1. I broke my PH 5k time this morning...ran the 5k in 24:40...1st mile was 9:10.34...mile 2 was 7:39.70...mile 3 7:15.86...then I SPRINTED to the end. It felt REALLY good...I always stretch and then take mile 1 pretty slow to warm up more...starting to think I might break my personal best time yet!

2. "Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord."

So what are you waiting for...FIND SOMETHING TO PRAISE THE LORD FOR!

Sleep in on the front end

I read this quote in a book a finished a few weeks back called "Leading on Empty." The author presented the idea of sleeping in on the front end...instead of sleeping in longer in the morning...go to bed earlier at night! Hence..."the front end." We get our best sleep between 10 or 11-2, yet we often chew that up by staying up too late!

I AM HORRIBLE at this principle...I love to stay up and can hardly get to bed before 11...Kels and I are working hard to discipline ourselves to do better. Last night I was asleep before 10! A MIRACLE!! The thing is...our dog kept us up in the middle of the night, yet I feel more rested today. I got to sleep through my "prime sleeping hours."

SELF-DISCIPLINE is the key to this...

Back to School Party

We had a Back to School Party and invited kids from McKinley Primary Center...the school closest to our church. It was a BLAST! We gave away tons of free-fun school supplies...kids ate cotton candy, pop corn, sno-cones, pizza (THANKS PAPA MURPHYS!!)...it was a blast...we had some outside games...the Obstacle course was a hit. I think Jaden did it 100 times! He was non-stop for 2+ hours. (He started before the other kids got there!) Definately a success as we had over 70 kids there! GREAT JOB TO EVERYONE!!

Monday Reflections

We had a GREAT morning yesterday...the theme was Unswayable Love...the music...Jim's message...POWERFUL...an OUTSTANDING time of worship. On the 5th Sunday of the month the kids have a movie morning...it's something we started in the theater...they watched "Bibleman!" A enemy defeating...scripture quoting...adventure hero...

Jim preached from Romans 8: 28--> It is my all-time favorite passage. The bottom line of the message..."God loves you." Period. That's it. GOD LOVES YOU! Before the creation of the world he picked YOU to be on his team...once we have come to Jesus, NOTHING...NOTHING can separate us from him...NOTHING! Isn't that GREAT to know...On my worst...average...or my best day GOD LOVES ME THE SAME! UM...I like that!

Just in case we don't get the point...Paul finishes the passage strongly...

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

AMEN!

Remembering X: I ran.

I ran. I escaped. I tried to hide.

In 1993 I was a junior at Grace College...involved in leadership at the school...but after my fall semester I dropped out...I ran. Ran as fast I could to get away from all responsibility. I was losing control of my life and rather than face it...I ran. Rather than trust God to make the changes that needed to be made...I ran. I got a job back home in Ohio and honestly thought about ways that I could wreck my life...I wanted to experience life "on the other-side."

It was during this time that I ran into Pastor Tim...He was the youth pastor at Goss Memorial Church where I grew up...Tim took time to ask me some tough life-shaping questions...questions that PENETRATED my heart...ones that got to the core of who I was at that time. I AM ETERNALLY grateful for Tim...God used him to change the direction of my life...to redirect me...I ended up going back to Grace in '94 and meeting this really amazing woman!

Sure glad God didn't give up on me when I tried to run away from him!!

First Day of School

Chloe, Jaden and I all had our first day of school today! Chloe's bus never came, so she ended up being late...I was watching her walk to the bus stop this morning and thinking back to when she used to go to soccer practices with me at LaSalle...the girl's team I coached would play with her and she would get to ride the "gator." She wasn't even in school! Now she is going to LaSalle...I'm so proud of her...she has Mrs. Lotridge and Mr. Marosz...AMAZING TEACHERS! Just INCREDIBLE! I am sooooooooooooooooooooo excited for her!

Jaden is ready to go...looking proud and excited for his first day...it will be the first time he rides the bus without "big sis" around...Kels said he looked like he owned the bus when we walked on there...love that boy!!

My first day went well...it was good to be back in the classroom again. I love the first day of school...setting expectations...kids have big dreams...I have several students that I know...Emma from church is one...she is an OUTSTANDING student...reminds me A LOT of Chloe...in the same class is Caleb...son of a good friend of mine...I promised not to hold it against him because of who his father is...27 beginning orchestra students in that class...Whoo-hoo!

Hardest thing about the morning was telling 2 students that they would not have orchestra this year, because they had to cancel the class...there weren't enough students signed up. It broke my heart! The one boy was in tears...it saddened my heart...

Best thing about the day is seeing the look of anticipation on the kid's faces...they have dreams for the year...they are EXCITED to see their friends...

My expectations for my class are simple...

Be Courteous
Be Respectful
Be a Listener

That's it! As I told each of my classes today...IMAGINE what our city would be like if we did these 3 things...not just in school...but to EVERYONE...EVERYWHERE...That is a place I'd like to live!

Reflections

The weekend was a WHIRLWIND! Between church stuff and getting ready for school it was JUST CRAZY! I took Monday as my off day...and got some stuff ready for school too...Sunday morning was great...I was teaching up in Kidzone...I really love investing in the kid's lives. I believe that they are the church of TODAY...many people talk about kids being the church of tomorrow...they talk about a child's future...the church's future...but the deal is...we NEVER know the day or the hour our Lord will call us to himself...so some of the kids may not be here tomorrow...SO MAKE THE MOST OF TODAY! We are talking about PEACE this month...great stuff...our curriculum (252 basics) is OUTSTANDING! LOVE IT!

Sunday after church we wrapped up our packages for our Teacher Blitz...we gave teachers at our closest elementary school a gift...Kleenex-hand sanitizer-AND CANDY! Simple but good! They were delivered today!! My only BUMMER is that I had to go to my school, so I couldn't help deliver them!! VERY FUN to encourage teachers! Nancy made an AMAZINGLY COOL card thanking all of the teachers for their service to our kids...SHE IS REALLY GOOD!

Must See!

I love how God takes our plans and makes them better. The link below is to our Goshen Youth Pastor's blog...Rich Yauger...they had their fall kick-off night and God did some cool stuff. Took Yaug's plan and made it better! LOVE IT WHEN GOD SHOWS UP!!

http://theyaugblog.blogspot.com/

Scheduling for success!

Today was my first day back to being bi vocational...Had teaching meetings all morning...church work all afternoon...and the FINAL Grillin' & Prayin' tonight! FULL DAY!!

On of my goals for the week was to plan out the fall...actually the whole school year...and to make sure that I am putting time in for the following priorities:

1. God Time
2. Kelsey Time
3. Kid Time
4. Personal Time: Spiritual/emotional/hobby/physical
5. Influencing people through work and life time

I have wrestled with how I can do each of these the best...In the past I have focused on God...family...church/work...I had often neglected my personal health and refueling...I had set my schedule according to what I thought people would want from me...to do the best possible job I could at Church, school and home...

BUT...something is missing there! If I don't take good care of the temple God gave me...TROUBLE!! I won't really do the other things well when I just push and push and push...so this year (being school year)...I have set out to prioritize my life better. To be healthier inside and out and therefore more productive in influencing my family and other people closer to God.

My goal is to be THRIVING at the end of December and the beginning of June not just surviving. Last year...I looked like death in December after teaching and pastoring...Kelsey said at the time that it was the worst she has ever seen me...My goal is to be thriving in the 5 areas above...I think I put together a decent plan for the fall...taking some days off from school and church to make it happen...building in time for vision/prayer/reflection...building in time to take Kels on dates (we aren't very good at making that time!!)...invest in my kids...planning time off...time to exercise...

NEXT...I will put in the schedule for church and school activities...and strategically plan how we can BEST influence our community for Jesus...175,000 people within 5 miles of our church building!! THAT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE!

I'm flexible with my schedule, but I know that if I don't strategically make a plan...then next March I'll be back in the hospital...but this time...if I go to the hospital it won't be because I didn't do my best to take care of the temple God gave me...it'll be because God allowed something to happen to me...So here we go...let the adventure begin...

Jackson Intermediate Center

I'll be teaching this year at Jackson...teaching 5-8th grade orchestra and possibly a choir class. I LOVE how God worked this out...I was in line to get my job back from last year, but something happened...it wasn't posted correctly or something and they had to withdrawal the job. So...I went looking again and a good friend Jeff Gorman said a position was open at Jackson...it is a good fit! My day will be done at 11:30...should work well! The principal was the assistant principal when I taught there 8 years ago and she is excellent. I am looking forward to the year!!!!

Take your son to work day!

With only a week to go it was time! This morning Jaden came to hang out with me at the office...before we left he went with me for my morning jog...he rode part on his bike and ran the rest...fun going with him...it won't be long before he is out running me distance-wise...the kid just doesn't get tired!

One Mondays I like to start my week away from the office...so Jaden and I went and prayerwalked at the River...we found one of my 2 favorite spots...a floating dock...and prayed...How cool to hear him pray for his upcoming school year. I love the growth that I see in Jaden...I'm so proud of him. 2nd grade!!

Now I've been working in the office while he skateboards in the auditorium and is watching Star Wars II...(I guess that is working for him!!)

Monday Reflections

GREAT service yesterday...people left with tears in their eyes as we closed our series on the Book of James with prayer. Jim's message was POWERFUL...he spoke deeply into our hearts...GREAT CHALLENGE!

The biggest point he made that jumped out to me was when he spoke on how we live our lives through the week will affect our prayers. If I'm living for Jesus...confession and fleeing sin...if I'm giving him my life...then when I pray for someone it affect my prayers to God.

I played drums yesterday morning and just had to call our people out as they worshipped. Imagine this...what would happen if we had to worship God for the first 1000 years we are in heaven IN THE EXACT SAME WAY WE WORSHIP HIM NOW?! Some people would be pretty stinkin' scary lookin' for that time!! We SCREAM at the TV for our sports teams...we cheer our kids on at their events...YET we struggle to even give God a smile! COME ON CHURCH! GET EXCITED ABOUT YOUR SAVIOR!!

Luke and I had a great time Saturday hanging out with Jim and his family and other leaders from our Goshen Campus...Tim Welling and I won the Corn Hole Tourney!! Luke got to ride a 4-wheeler and even drove my car! (Only on the grass area of course!) My little green car now has about 25 dents from all of the water balloons that hit it as we left!! (Oh...easy to cover that with Pastor Jim's Professional Expense...might even get a new car out of the deal!! ;0)

One more week until school starts...continuing to wait for the official word from South Bend Schools on my hiring...I like to have something signed...make it official!!

Kels has been VERY sick with this pregnancy...most difficult one yet...Looking forward to the 1st trimester being over!! 4 kids...WOW!! We have been talking about how we will rearrange our rooms...wonder if the baby is a boy or girl?!?!?!?!??!

YES! I like this idea!!!!

The state of Indiana is having a contest...quit smoking and get prizes! THAT IS GREAT! People all around us are LITERALLY KILLING THEMSELVES by smoking...they are cheapening their lives...whether it be by not living as long or not living as well...they are hurting themselves. AND it doesn't stop there...they are hurting others, our environment AND their budgets! Indiana has the 6th HIGHEST smoking rate in the country!

I long for people to overcome this addiction and say WAY TO GO INDIANA for putting this together. I PRAY...PLEAD with God to give people the boldness...the strength...the self-control to overcome this...WHY? Because GOD longs for our bodies to be clean before him...he longs for us to be at our personal best...so I ask him to help people that struggle with this to OVERCOME! JUMP ON BOARD AND QUIT! Your GOD...spouse...children...family...friends...NEED YOU...and need you AT YOUR PERSONAL BEST...START TODAY!

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