Updated Family Photo

I've updated our family photo. The previous phot on this blog was taken almost three years ago. Wow! The children grow so quickly. in this Christmas photo Lydia is 21, Hannah is 19, Elijah is almost 15, Abram is 13, Noah is 10, Isaac is 8, and Faith is almost 6.

The Double Fence

Church unity is fine as an idea, but it is another thing entirely when we deal with application. I read this story recently, and it illustrates my point well:
“Between two farms near Valleyview, Alberta, you can find two parallel fences, only two feet apart, running one-half mile. Two farmers, Paul and Oscar, had a disagreement that erupted into a feud. Paul wanted to build a fence and split the cost, but Oscar refused. Since he wanted to keep cattle on his land, Paul built the fence anyway.
“After the fence was completed, Oscar said to Paul, ‘I see we have a fence.’ ‘What do you mean, ‘We?’ Paul asked. ‘I had the property surveyed and built the fence two feet into my land,’ Paul continued. ‘Some of my land is outside the fence, and if I see your cows trespassing, I’ll shoot them.’ Oscar knew Paul was serious, so when he eventually chose to use his land next to Paul’s for pasture, he was forced to build a fence two feet away.”
Unity in practice is time-consuming, costly, distracting and difficult at best to attain. It means sacrificing our preferences and desires. So why bother? Before Jesus was arrested, he prayed, “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:22-23 NIV).
Unity in practice is sometimes painful, and it does mean we must sometimes give up our preferences, tastes and traditions. So why bother? “…to reach out daily with a growing heart to heaven, home, and humanity near and far.” Unity at Trinity is of utmost importance. Several factors present both the challenge and the blessing of striving together for unity in our congregation. We have the blessing and the challenge of two ministry sites. We have the blessing and the challenge of ministries that take our efforts in different directions on a daily basis. We have the blessing and challenge of combining resources of people, facilities, finances, and energy with people who are come at life from different perspectives.
The last thing we need is a double fence built in any of our ministries. I am always encouraged when I see the wonderful cooperative working of God’s people at Trinity. I look forward to a new year of building unity and working together to share God’s love with our community.

Thankful...

I'm posting this blog entry from a Caribou coffee shop, while enjoying a wonderful cup of coffee. Thanksgiving was just a couple of days ago. It's honestly one of my favorite holidays. I like it because it hasn't become as "secularized" as so many other Christian holidays. Though not everyone is asking the question, it's not out of place to ask people, "What are you thankful for?" I did so at acouple of places. I asked the receptionists at my physical therapy appointment, I asked a gas station attendant, I asked a waitress. The response from each of these people was a thankfulness for "family." People really seem to value the relationships around them. I can well understand that sentiment. I too, am so very grateful for the lovely family that God gave me. I feel so blessed when I think about my precious bride, Diana, and each one of my children. Life with them is a special joy and blessing. In addition to the family I live with, I am grateful for the family that I worship with on a regular basis. My church family is precious to me. Both my family at home and my church family are gifts from God and a special testimony of His wonderful grace in my life. I've got to trace those blessings right back to the one who gives every good and perfect gift, the Father in heaven. When I think aout the things I am thankful for, the chief blessing and the source of all good in my life is the Lord. He has made me and given me all my blessings. What a joy to offer Him my worship and praise! The gift of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ is by far the biggest blessing I have to be thankful for each and every Thanksgiving, but also every day. The death and resurrection of my Savior Jesus has given me life through the forgiveness of all my sin. There is nothing I could be more thankful for. Now we turn our sights to the next big holiday, "CHRISTmas". I'm looking forward to sharing the joy of Christmas with everyone I can. I'm thankful for such a joyous message in a world where we need it so desperately.

Fun, Fun, Fun,...

What a welcome for my family and me!

Watch this video of the song the praise team wrote and performed at the installation service. (The guy shaking his head just to the right of the center of the screen is my dad... a fairly traditional Lutheran, himself, but a very good sport!)



Fun, Fun, Fun...
Well the call committee met
And decided we should find
a new man now
Packer – Viker didn’t matter
But he had to be a Jesus fan now
And with the congregation saying their prayers
Just as fast as they can now
We will have fun, fun, fun
‘Cause we got the Texas preacher to stay

Well we knew all along
That our preacher was kind of unique, yeah
Seven children – Faith, Elijah,
Isaac, Noah, Abram, Lydia, Hannah
And the saint of the family
Is the mother and wife, Diana
Praise Father Son, Son, Son
For the blessing of this
great family
(instrumental)

Well, we got the pastor
Who speaks and leads
like an ace now
We’ll be moving just
as fast as we can
Keeping up with his pace now
He’s got enthusiasm
written all over
That baby face now
And he will run, run, run
Doing ministry at Trinity, yeah
And he will run, run, run
Doing ministry at Trinity, yeah
And he will run, run, run
Doing ministry at Trinity, yeah!

A wonderful dance...

This awesome liturgical dance was sent to me by a friend. I had to post it for the rest of you. It's a great celebration of freedom in Christ.

EE-Taow

I've had several requests for the video I shared with the church called EE-Taow. Here it is... with even more footage!



Here's a link for ordering the DVD which now includes a sequel to this amazing story...

http://shop.nogreaterjoy.org/product_info.php/cPath/6_36/products_id/172