Back to School…For Me!

Whenever I hear the phrase “back to school” I think of Adam Sandler singing in Billy Madison…anyways.  I put a post up a few weeks ago about sending out my application for seminary…

I heard back yesterday from the school and they have let me in.

I suppose I am now an official Fuller Theological Seminary student.  Scary thought.

At the end of March I will begin my journey toward a masters degree.  Most of the classes will be online but I will have to go to California twice over the next three years.  Rough, I know.

Below I have included two pictures of campus.  It is green and you can even see palm trees!

The Oscars

It is about 11PM on Sunday night and I have been watching the Oscars for 2.5 hours.  I would say that it has not been the most exciting awards show I have ever seen but interesting in parts.  This movie Pan’s Labyrinth has been winning many different awards.  Can’t say that I have seen it but it looks to be an odd movie.  In fact I really have not been able to see many of the movies that have been nominated this year.  I love movies but it has been a busy time and will have to catch up in the next few months.

I was thinking about my all time favorite movies.  These are in no way in any order but these are some of my favorite movies:

-Citizen Kane, a story of heartbreak and loss although he had everything in the world.  A story of a man driven but it did not matter because he had lost his childhood.

-Gladiator, I saw this movie when I was living in Nashville and working in the inner city projects.  I admired his heart and passion to stand and fight for what was right.  All in all he could not do it alone and rose up again injustice.

-Ferris Buellers Day Off, I love this movie.  It is a great light hearted movie and I always loved the fact he was bold in all his choices because I knew that I was not going to stick out my neck like he did for his day away from school.

-Rudy, the story of a man with a dream to play football at Notre Dame.  His story of walking on at Notre Dame and then finally playing and sacking the quarterback…a fulfillment of a dream.

-Life is Beautiful, this is a must.  Make sure you do not see it with the dubbed English.  It is a must to watch it with the subtitles in Italian.  It is a heartbreaking story but yet one that you smile through even in the heartbreak.  In my opinion one of the greatest movies ever made.

Movies are such a look into the world.  An amazing way to spend time and be moved.

House Update

Joanna and I have started working on the house again. Joanna has been working hard on staining and varnishing hundreds of feet of trim and crown, plus two doors. Above you can see part of the living room where we have installed the crown. It really looks amazing and finally getting finished! We will be installing the trim around the door and the base for the floor soon. Also, we have installed the door leading into the study. You can see the difference between the old door into the bathroom and the new one. The bathroom door will probably be installed this weekend. We will continue to update you on the house.

The Cost of Non-Discipleship

Matthew 28:16-20 says, “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

As the evangelial church we often make many believers but fall short in making disciples. Jesus sent His disciples out to make disciples. Believing in Jesus Christ is the starting point; discipleship, being like Jesus, is the life call.

In regard to this issue, I have been impressed with a friend of mine. He made a commitment to Christ about 6 months ago and is hungry. He searches and strives for a deeper understanding and relationship with Jesus Christ. He is becoming a disciple of Jesus not just a believer.

We cheat ourselves when we stop after belief. We sell ourselves short and what Jesus Christ wants to do in and through us.

Sure being a disciple of Jesus Christ costs us. But the cost of being what Dallas Willard calls a nondisciple is much greater than we can imagine. He wrote, “Non-discipleship cost abiding peace, a life penetrated througout by love, faith that sees everything in the light of God’s overriding goverance for good, hopefulness that stands firm in the most discouraging of circumstances, power to do what is right and withstand the forces of evil. In short it costs exactly that abundance of life Jesus said that He came to bring (John 10:10). The cross shaped yoke of Christ is after all and instrument of liberation and power to those who live in it with him and learn the meekness and lowliness of heart that brings rest to the soul…The correct perspective is to see following Christ not only as the necessity it is, but as the fulfillment of the highest human possiblities and as life on the highest plane.”

We miss out on the abundant life. Not only do we cheat God and fall short of the plan He has for us, we cheat ourselves.

The cost of discipleship, becoming like Jesus is high, but the cost of non-discipleship is far higher.

Five People I Would Invite to the Lake

Due to the heat wave we have been experiencing this week, I am getting excited about the upcoming spring and summer at the lake. We love hosting people at the house during the summer and eat a disgusting amount of hot dogs, hamburgers, and brats cooked on our amazing charcoal grill.

Beyond the food I think we could have a pretty amazing conversation with these five new friends of mine:

Ravi Zacharias-Ravi is disgustingly smart. Plus he has a great accent. Ravi is an author and apologist with an amazing grasp of the scripture and the world we live in. He spoke at Hope College when I was a student and was blown away by his presentation of the Word of God in the world we live in. I would love to discuss different issues and topics with him, most likely just listen a lot…what would I add? Ravi, don’t talk with your mouth full but make sure you speak as much as you can.

Bono-Sure he is the lead singer of one of the greatest bands ever, U2, but he is making an amazing impact on the world. Bono, as Bill Hybels would say, has taken his influence and leveraged it to its fullest. Whether through his campaign, ONE, or traveling the world meeting with world leaders, CEO’s, and church leaders…he is motivating and getting the world moving forward to heal what he calls, “Stupid Poverty”. These are things that can be taken care of if funds and people are allocated in the right manner. Have a seat Bono. Enjoy your brat, ketchup is on the table.

Tom Brady-One of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the game. He is also a Michigan alumni, so that is not too bad. He of course would have to bring his Super Bowl rings, it’s kind of like a passing dish. I honestly probably would not hang out to much with Tom while at my house. I am not sure I could get close to his considering the fact that the main reason I would invite him is because Joanna is what you would call a big fan. Good luck Tom, have fun.

Well…I need to invite two more people…who should I invite? Who would you invite?

Standing For Each Other

“Sometimes we Christians appear to be more concerned about standing up for doctrinal truth than for supporting each other…we can’t have a right relationship with God if we don’t have a right relationship with others.” -From the Discovery Devotional

Reading from the passage in I Peter 1 and 2, in my Bible I underlined, “…love one another deeply, from the heart.” There is a note at the bottom of the page that also says, “from a pure heart.” I have been challenged in the past and this is a reminder that we are called to love people, period. How often do I look at a person and see them lacking in one way or another. So I assess the situation to see what it is they are lacking and then help them get to a certain point, whether this is salvation, fixing an area in their life, or whatever. Sure these are great things but my motive so often is not out of love but out of acting as a sort of savior. I put myself in the place where I should be placing Christ and allowing His love to flow through my pure love, my deep love for this person.

I also underlined, “Crave pure spiritual milk.” This pure spiritual milk is a right relationship with God which starts with others. It truly is impossible to fully and honestly love God when my relationships are out of whack.

May I see with the Lord’s eyes, overflow with His love, and understand His heart in my life.

Three Years of Marriage!

Yesterday Joanna and I celebrated our three year anniversary on Valentine’s Day. We went to Kalamazoo and ate dinner at Carrabba’s…quality if I say so myself. We had a great day and time together.

I am very blessed to be married to such an amazing woman. She has blessed my life and truely made me a better person. I still have a long ways to go but we’ve got the rest of our lives.

It has been a great three years.

2008…Let the Campaign Begin

I am really intrigued by the upcoming Presidential election. It is so wide open on both sides.

A few years ago I saw a bumper sticker that boldly proclaimed, “Jesus is not a democrat” Immediately I looked at it as another group putting Jesus out as a political figure. When I looked closer it said in letters below, “…and also not a republican”. I laughed.

I feel that this election will be different then the past. It seemed that in the last few years if you were a Christian you “had” to vote republican because of the main hot button issues. It was amazing the looks that “Christians” gave or how they passed judgement if you even thought a different way. In fact I am sure some might look at this and question too.

There are many issues that BOTH parties are wrong on if we are looking at the word of God. We as believers have to look at this upcoming election not as an issue of the party but rather, who is the candidate overall. What does he stand for, what does he believe?

I know there will not be a candidate who perfectly fits the “ideal” but there is one that will be elected that we are to respect and honor. I challenge you to look at all aspects. To look past what the newspaper, CNN, Fox News, Time Magazine say but to dig and seek truth for yourself.

I am excited about this upcoming election although it is more than a year away. It is going to cause the church to look at itself and the leadership of this nation.

Over the next few months, as a I come upon certain items that are relevant to the faith community, I will link them on here without bias. I will not agree with everything that may be written or said, but it is important information to know.

Someone sent this to me and it spurred on this post.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid463869411/bctid416343938

Update of the Last Two Weeks in Our Life

WINTER JAM

We were able to go to Winter Jam with the Marsman’s, Walker’s and Lisa’s sister and brother-in-law. It was in Fort Wayne and the concert was Newsong, Hawk Nelson, Sanctus Real, Steven Curtis Chapman, Jeremy Camp, and some other people. It was a crazy cold night but still the place was packed.

This was just part of the line to get in.

Matt and Jessica are great and got seats for us just a few rows back. Over all it was a great show and a ton of fun hanging out with friends.

This is John Morgan, a George W. Bush impersonator. He was very funny and really pulled it off. You have to see this guy. Check him out at www.georgebushimpersonator.com!

SUPER BOWL BASH

Following the message on the 4th, I casually walked into the youth room to hook up the satellite for Mario for the Super Bowl Bash and then get lunch with my parents. Of course, the satellite did not work and I ended up having the worse stress headache I have ever had. Robin’s brother came to the rescue and adjusted our satellite to pick up the game…at 4:30, just as the volunteers began to arrive.

The Colts won…Peyton got his title…and my car froze.

FROZEN CAR

Monday morning I woke up to go to work…attempted to start my car and sure enough, the gas line was frozen. It sat in my driveway for the whole week. I attempted to warm it up but when the weather is in the single digits, that does not help. Once again, the Lord provided and Rod McFadden towed my car to his heated garage to let it sit overnight. He said it started right up and has been working great ever since. Thanks Rod!

NEW BABY

Not ours! On Wednesday night we drove up to Lansing to see one of Joanna’s friends new baby. Joanna is gettting way too comfortable with babies…oh no. I have no idea how much the baby weighed or length…it was small. I’m a guy, I do not know these things.

CCS HOMECOMING

Joanna and I ventured over to Calhoun Christian Friday night for their homecoming. We started out the night watching Kelsey play a great game for her volleyball team. They ended up winning and I think Kelsey probably scored all the points. Tyler’s basketball team also won and really showed no mercy on the other team. Tyler even hit two free throws to add to his six other points. Following the game was the big moment of the night…the crowning of king and queen. Tyler was up for the crown.

Tyler, there is always next year. We love you.

We also ran into this guy. I think he used to be a big star at Family Altar Christian School!?!?!

That’s it.

Follow Up to the Message

I have not been able to post recently on here. After sharing the message two Sunday’s ago I was encouraged by the response following the service. The Lord worked on me and challenged me in many different ways. I found that my heart and spirit were stirred in preparation and also in the presentation…but it is the gut check that we have all got to move on. I am sure that many heard the message and agreed but has there been a response in your life?

I am curious if anyone has been faithful and followed through about being generous? I know that I have viewed money in a different light. I know that the Lord provides and the Lord takes away.

There is still wisdom in the use of my money but a different heart behind it.

Is this true with you? You can only serve one, God or money, giving calls your bluff.