STINK!

I am thankful that I was camping...as a passionate sports fan this was an AWFUL weekend...knowing that LeBron was going to the Miami Heat. I am EXTREMELY disappointed...EXTREMELY! I would have LOVED to see him step up and stay loyal to his home town...But as I have said through this whole ordeal...If it is about loyalty he will stay in Cleveland, BUT who wouldn't want to play with 2 of the best players in the NBA right now. BUT it still REALLY...REALLY STINKS! The Shot...The Drive...The Fumble and now THE DECISION...it sure is tough being a Cleveland fan!!!!

The Clouds Were Lifted!

For the first time ever our family went camping and there was NOT a thunder storm!! We went camping with our church this weekend and had BEAUTIFUL weather! Great times hanging out with people from the church...a few of us camped and many others came for either the day on Thursday or Friday. We had a 40 foot slip-n-slide...LOTS of fun swimming...good camp food...basketball...campfires...great conversations...greater people! Fun...fun weekend!

"It Is Finished."

Continuing our Month of Prayer...here is a letter I emailed to our church:

“IT IS FINISHED.” Those are the words of our Savior. He said them…his work on the cross was done. His time of carrying the burden of our sin was finished. He had sacrificed enough… “IT IS FINISHED.” That was all that was left…To speak the words and to die.

Let me ask you a question…if Jesus said “IT IS FINISHED.” Why are you still holding on to the guilt of your sin? Why haven’t you let it go? HE HAS! In that moment on the cross. He paid the price for your sin, so if you have confessed that sin to him…it’s time for you to let go too. DO IT. DO IT! Allow God to release you not only from the burden of your sin, but from the guilt it leaves behind.

Jesus said it…3 powerful words… “IT IS FINISHED.”

It’s time to let go…

I love you all and pray for you…

Pastor Tim

DONE!

YES! Tonight I finished my 2nd class to renew my teaching license. I have been taking classes since February...it feels good to have it completed. (And my due date isn't until next Tuesday...Whoo-hoo!!) Feels really good to be done...really good.

The smile said it all...

I had the opportunity today to do a graveside service for Andre's uncle. His mom is from Florida and about a year ago I did the service for his grandpa. As I left the cemetery I noticed the time...If I hustled I could make it to the 4H Fair Grounds for Jaden's pet parade...Jaden was dressed up in his sports gear and had his bunny Fudge in a soccer jersey and we painted a green rug to look like a soccer field. It was pretty cool!

Last night I had told Jaden that I had the graveside service and wouldn't be able to make the parade. His face dropped...he understood, but was CLEARLY sad. So...when I saw that I had time to make it I took off...changed in the car...RAN into the fair and made it just as the MC said "Alright...now to start the parade!" PERFECT timing...He looked like a little stud out there and did a GREAT job when he got interviewed!

Then it happened...it was brief, but priceless. He flashed his "Jaden" smile when he saw me. The smile that says..."glad you made it dad." It was a VERY precious moment for me.

Sometimes the little things that we do...even when it is just a few minutes...can brighten a day or show someone you love them. I was glad I rushed around to get there...that smile made it worth it!

More Monday Reflections

Jim continued our study in the book of James. It was a convicting message...I do have to say that it was good to see Jim in a suit!

Highlights from the message:
-Mercy triumphs over judgment
-Favoritism is forbidden!
-Equality should be the goal
-Don't look at yourself better than what you are
-SURROUND yourself with people YOU can benefit
-Be willing to help people who can't help you back
-How can we EVER pay Jesus back?!
-whose cause did you defend this week that wasn't your own
-Do what you do for yourself for others
-Mercy seals it
-Everything you speak will be judged
-Mercy is holding back what someone deserves...not giving them what they deserve
-Mercy triumphs over judgment

Great stuff!

Monday Reflections

-We had a great time hanging out with Kelsey's family this weekend...her brother Ed always puts on an AMAZING fireworks show for us...he pours TONS of time into it and it pays off! Probably had 100 people there to watch it...AWESOME!

Sunday afternoon I played tennis with Kelsey's brother's Stu & Ed...good times! Knees are aching today, but it's worth it! After tennis we went on our 3rd Annual Family Bike Parade...we decorate our bikes for the 4th and ride around mom and dad's neighborhood...the kids really get into it!

We went to North Liberty last night for fireworks and they did a nice job too...the kids were sure tired this a.m. They had a make up swim meet at Knollwood Country Club and had to be there by 9:00...Chloe is doing 4H this year with her bunnies, so she had to be there before the meet. Going to be a busy week!

Our neices and nephews are sure growing up quickly! MAN! SLOW DOWN!!

Praising God...not my words!

I posted earlier this week about our family meeting last Saturday...Today I have been going over the notes that the groups wrote...(I had everyone split into 3 groups so everyone could give input.) I have gone over the things they listed that need improvement...things we need to work on. I also went over the things that each group listed that we could praise God for about Grace Community. It was good to review and see what people wrote...We often put a lot of attention on what we need to improve and not enough attention on what GOD is doing through us that is GOOD! SO...here are the things that the groups came up with...

Group 1 Response;
-Growth/momentum
-People steppin' up
-Very (Tight) knit family
-genuine
-amazing soccer camp
-building

Group 2 Responses:
-Outreach: Soccer Camp, Community Hope, Mugging (we take a mug of candy to people who have visited the church for the first time)
-Relationships (family)-->you can count
-Team work
-Praise Team
-Kidzone
-The building

Group 3:
-God loves us!
-New people serving in kid's ministries
-relationships that are built between us
-Our own place to meet (building)
-music...people stepping out to lead
-Don cleaning the building on Mondays!
-3 families cleaning the building on weekends
-34 NEW kids in 1 week in Kidzone
-Ericka leading & Wooster Youth helping with soccer camp
-for the people that come and are faithful & you can count on them
-cash offering from Dad Fest from Goshen


VERY COOL to see the similarities in these...Family...Relationships...Serving...Place to meet...Outreach...Great to be thankful...great to remember...THANKS SO MUCH GOD for all that you are doing here!

Confession

What a word...Confession...1John 1:9 "If you confess your sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I have known this verse since I was a little kid! Many people take this as their free ticket..."it's o.k. if I mess up...God will forgive me." COME ON! God longs for life change...that behind the confession is true repentance. That you do a turn...take a detour and head in a different direction. If we confess but never change patterns and behaviors in our lives...what good is that? WE MUST LIVE DIFFERENTLY if we expect different results.

Take a look at your life...are there things that need to be confessed to God...are there areas where you need to take a detour...a different path? DO IT! Confess...be forgive and use the Holy Spirit to help you change and live differently!

Stuff

-Took my day off today...
-GREAT time today at the Warren Dunes with the family and Ed, Carmel and the kids. (Kels' brother!)
-Water was Cold...but really fun
-Swam and played football in the water
-BURIED Jaden and Luke in the sand!
-Went up Mount Baldy (A HUGE Sand Dune!) 2x's! You got it...2x's! Guess my heart is doing pretty well!
-I'm EXTREMELY sunburned!
-AMAZING VIEW on top of the Sand Dune...
-We could see Chicago!! (Which is on the other side of the dune...so yeah...it's high!)
-RUNNING down the dune is a VERY FUN experience...I LOVE IT!
-LOTS OF SAND
-LOTS OF FUN
-Went to viewing for a church member's mother...hurting people
-Went to Grillin' and Prayin' tonight...a teen ended up going to the ER...ripped open his elbow in a skateboarding accident...OUCH!
-He handled it REALLY well...tough young man!
-Good to hang out!
-Yep...today was day one of LeBron James' free agency...I'm nervous!