Through it All (Even a Virus) My eyes are on you

I took this picture on the campus of Native American Christian Academy during it's spring break. The three crosses sit on top of a hill on the West side of campus. From the top of the hill you can see for miles in every direction. It's a great place to reflect and pray. I sat there yesterday thinking about all that is happening in our country and in the world. This virus is causing closures of businesses and schools and causing a major pause on life as we know it. There are so many uncertainties and many think it'll only be a matter of time before a majority of the world has the virus. When will schools be open again? When will our campus be greeted with its students and life be returned back to normal? As I sat there, I was reminded of this song. In fact it'd been in my head a large majority of the week. "Through it all, it is well." How can something like this "be well with my soul?" I was reminded of the story behind the original song "It is well" by Horatio Spafford. Horatio Spafford was a successful businessman, married with four daughters. He lost nearly everything, his business, his daughters and while he was traveling to reunite with his wife he wrote this song. Both songs the original hymn, and the It is Well by Bethel Music remind us that through whatever tomorrow brings it can be well with our souls because God is with us through it.

This time brings many uncertainties for everyone. As you continue to pray for our country remember Native American Christian Academy among the other schools you pray for. Pray for all the students and the schools as they figure ways to continue provide education "long distance style learning".

Quiet Down Boy!

(Zephaniah 3:14-17, Psalms 22:3, 2 Chron. 20:19, Psalm 98:4-9, Psalm 150:1-6, Romans 8:18, 2 Cor. 4:17, 2 Cor. 10:4-5; Ephesians 6:10-18, 1 John 5:13)

It's almost out of mowing season! Today I mowed for possibly the last time until next spring. When I mow I tend to listen to music and sometimes that ends with my voice hurting by the time I'm done. It's hard not to compete with the lawn mower. However, I have found that mowing is a time where I can get lost in a separate world and praise God. If I lose my voice? Well it's worth it.

I've been a fan of a group called Apologetix for quite some time now. But recently I discovered they have a lot more songs than I realized. If you're not familiar with this group, Apologetix takes familiar songs and makes Christian parodies of them. It's fantastic! One of my new favorites is shown below. Save your Voice Quiet Down Boy.

I love this group! This song has an awesome message too! The world tries to discourage us from praising the Lord, but the Bible says praise him all day every day nice and loud. 

So the next time you nearly lose your voice from singing too loud with WCIC, just know God is smiling down and hears every note you're singing for him. Praise the Lord, Nice and loud boy. :D 

Until next time, keep rippling!

Where's the brakes on this thing?

One thing I've found from owning a car, is that things go wrong and those things cost money. So every now and then when someone else says "I think there's something wrong with you're van", my response is "Eh it's probably nothing."

In this case my brake light had been on for quite some time. Over time the problem got worse. I'm not sure I would have noticed it, if my dad hadn't driven it. He noted that in order for the brakes to 'actually work' you had to push further than you're supposed to. When there's a problem with the brakes, it can be a BIG problem. (Course everyone knows that.)

We as humans have a built in "brake" system that helps tell us when we're about to do something wrong. It's better known as our conscience or our moral compass. As we grow closer to God and dig into the bible that moral compass gets more and more accurate. But it has a weakness. When we do something wrong and get away with it, when a second opportunity comes up the red flags aren't as strong. So it's easier to not stop. Before long you're whole "brake system" is messed up but someone else might notice before you do. 

1 John 3:6 - No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 

That's heavy, but that's why we have to keep our brakes in check. And constantly monitor our attitudes and actions. 

Lord help separate me from the sin that tempts me each day. Keep me in check and help me to keep my eyes on you. 

Until next time, continue to make ripples from pebbles. :D

Netflix Connection - Magic School Bus Rides Again

When I saw that the Magic School Bus was being rebooted. I wasn't thrilled. After seeing older shows redone to fit modern times I was hesitant. But decided if it manages to keep the educational value of the old Magic School Bus, maybe it's worth giving a chance. So is it worth checking out?

The New magic school Bus definitely has a familiar feel to it. Most of the kids are the same as in the old series. However, this series features Ms. Frizzle's sister as the teacher. In the pilot episode Arnold struggles because he doesn't like change. And as the episode continues it explores that struggle as well as the danger of change to an ecosystem.

In episode 2 the kids are putting on a play and they are challenge to use real bricks and make it really wind proof. So Ms. Frizzle takes them on a trip to explore how wind works. While trying to figure things out some of the other kids have suggestions, but the director doesn't want to hear them. By the end of the episode the kids learn how wind works, as well as the value of listening to other people.

Magic School Bus Season 1: 13 Episodes
What this show does well: It keeps a lot of the old. While there are new graphics, it keeps the same magic feel of the old series. Usually there are life values included in each episode along with educational focuses. Other remakes featured on Cartoon Network like Scooby Doo, Teen Titans, Looney Toons, ruin the show by including lots of hyper activity and yelling. This remake fortunately steers clear from that pattern.

Opportunities for discussion: While this is a show that you can sit your child in front of and not fear what might come up, it also provides opportunities for discussion if you watch with your kid. This show also takes the world around us and works it into life lessons. And makes learning fun.

Netflix Connection: I love how this show usually tackles two birds with one stone. Usually a kid has a problem or an attitude to work through. And then as the episode continues and they take a field trip, the kids learn something that sometimes also applies to their Attitude or problem. There's so much that happens each day and I believe that lessons are hiding around every corner. Through objects or circumstances. How can we look at things from a new angle? What might God be telling us through the ordinary things? The first episode focuses on how sometimes change can be a good thing, and other times not. The third episode focuses on the idea of being strong together. One kid encounters a shark under the ocean and learns that a fish will fend off a shark by joining with other fishes. This follows the biblical principle of standing strong together. When we join with friends and family and God, we can get through the harder times. As you're watching this series I'm sure there's plenty of chances to tie biblical principles to what's being taught.

Recommended? While I was skeptical at first, this remake is one I can recommend with no regrets. Trying to find a good show these days can be challenging, but The Magic School Bus Rides again is certainly one to check out. Some older kids might not be as interested, but as a guess I'd say ages 4(or younger) through 10 would enjoy this series. Older viewers who grew up with the original will most likely enjoy the approach to this series and the newer graphics will appeal to kids now better than the original. Well done.

*Please note this review is based on the first four episodes of the first season. I expect that the rest of the episodes are as wonderful as the first four.


 Remember friends keep making ripples. :D

Rippling beneath the Surface

"Are you  ready? You'll want to hold your nose. Joseph I baptize you in the name of..." Those were the last words I heard before I was dunked under the surface of the lake.  With it being at the park, it wasn't as cold as it could have been. In fact the weather was pretty near perfect. (Yes that's my shoe.) It didn't occur to me till afterwards just how pretty that spot is. I've been a Christian since my early teens, but wasn't baptized till  a couple weeks ago. So why now? In part because it had never been done. That was mostly due to not fully understanding what it was/why it's necessary etc. It wasn't really promoted much and it didn't come around very often. At this point in my ministry journey I decided it was important to go ahead even though it was so much later. For one because I knew I would be encouraging others to make the same step. I also realized that baptism is an important action in our faith. Why is something that gets you wet and only lasts a couple minutes so important?

Facts about baptism:

• The practice of baptism is continued today out of obedience to what Christ asks us to do. 
• If you've been baptized it's not necessary to do so again. (Even if wandered away, or if it was done as a baby.) However you can renew your baptism vows as you would marriage vows. (Water isn't essential the second time.) 
• You don't have to "prove your a christian" before you're baptized. Baptism is simply an outward expression showing that you've made an inward decision. Growth and transformation will happen over time, not a requirement for baptism.

Here's a Q&A about Baptism from Whitehorse Church of the Nazarene

 (not connected in any way with this blog. Given as a resource for more information.)

I love the beauty in the picture above. The trees changing, the sky color, but also the ripples in the water from the baptism in action. I've experienced God's comfort in so many situations, and I know I wouldn't be able to do any of this without him. My prayer is that he continues to make ripples through my ministry, None of this is about me, it's all for God's glory. I'll just keep throwing one pebble at a time, and see how far God takes the ripples.

Last Chance?

Baseball brings out the best and worst in the fans that follow it. The Cubs series against the Brewers is coming to a close and my nails are nearly non-existent. Virtually ANYTHING can happen at any moment for the losing team to sneak ahead of the other.

 In the case of this specific series, three of the four games went into the tenth inning. Two of the three clinched by the Cubs. If you've been following this season, there was a lot riding on this series, and the one to come against the cardinals. One of the best parts of baseball is seeing if the losing team can make a comeback. It's better if it's the team you're rooting for, but usually you can nod your head and say "That was a great play."
During this series people keep saying, "This is playoff baseball for the Brewers." They're putting in everything they have right now because they know the end of the season is coming. And they're only a few games shy of the wild card right now. They're putting in everything they have to keep it from being their last game. At the beginning of the season it's easy to say " We'll get the next one" and it's almost taken for granted. However, every game in baseball eventually leads to who makes the playoffs.

What if we lived as if each decision or interaction could cause the world to plunge out of orbit and change the way of life for all as we know it? A little dramatic? Maybe. So let's look at it this way. If you learned that today would be your friend's last day, how would you treat him/her? You'd do everything within you're ability to make this day memorable right? Maybe you'd be careful with what you say and treat this person to ice cream or maybe an amusement park? What if you treated each day, each interaction with anybody, as if that could directly impact their next moment? I know that's heavy. Each moment and interaction we have is a chance to show God's love. All this is temporary. The next moment isn't guaranteed. James 4:14 compares our life to being a mist. Appearing only for a moment and then vanishing. Life is as unpredictable as Cubs baseball. You never really know what could be coming, so treating each moment like it's precious is our best option.

I wrote most of this yesterday. So as I was typing it, I was keeping tabs on the final game in the series against the Brewers. 3rd inning no outs, 0-0. Next moment? one guy singles, another doubles and SCORE!!! Cubs lead 1-0 top of the 4th inning, nobody out. The players were giving it their all to win the game. (The Cubs won by the way!) As they move into the next series against the cardinals, they're preparing physically and mentally to give it their all. Are we giving it our all, to live each moment to make an impact for the kingdom?

Dreams and Darkness

Wow it's hard to believe that a month and a half has passed since my last post... Just been keeping busy I suppose. A lot has floated through my mind for a post, lately but I haven't taken the time. Hopefully it'll all flow together.

It isn't often that I can actually remember my dreams. There's only a couple that a can remember, either because they really made me think, or they scared me awake. The ones that make me think, include thinking about what might happen next or if I would actually do that in real life. I've had two dreams lately that fit into that category.

Dream 1: Hijacked at Gunpoint
I looked out the window and watched as my Dad put gas into my van, on a typical day. As I watched him go inside to pay, two ladies appeared and ordered us to get out of the vehicle one getting in the driver seat. The rest of thee passengers obeyed, but I remained inside.They continued arguing with me, but the others were calling the police so they didn't have much time. Surprisingly they didn't shoot me but instead drove away with me still inside. I began talking with the ladies that stole my vehicle, trying to understand why they were doing this. They insisted they needed the vehicle as a mode of transportation to get to work. When I asked why they couldn't ask a friend to give them a ride, they insisted that city folk don't care enough about each other to do that. (Then I woke up)

How I imagined the rest of the scene would play out: I tried to reason with them, and offered to drive them myself. This caught them off guard. They couldn't understand why someone would offer to do that for someone who had just kidnapped and stolen a vehicle. I explained that Jesus loves us so much and in the same way I love on others to show his love to the world. At this point the ladies kicked me out and drove away. But the police were scouring the area so it wasn't long till I and my vehicle was found.

Dream 2: Stolen Books
I was making a trip to my car to unload some books out of the trunk, but it seemed my trunk was already open, and being unloaded. I ran towards it and tried to stop the crooks but they were faster than me. They were busy switching their license plates. I tried to grab the old one but it was made of paper and tore into pieces. As they drove away I collected the pieces, and was determined to find them. Not for revenge or to put them away, but to tell them I forgave them and offer them the stack of books they left in the trunk and to have a chance to tell them about Jesus.

Unfortunately I can't actually assume that it's what I'd do in real life. You never know what you'd do in situations like that until it happens. But I recently finished a book by Francis Chan, Crazy Love that talks about loving on others, doing "whatever it takes" to show a sample of God's love to others. It's an awesome book and I recommend it.

Disney World Light Bulb: While at Disney a couple weeks ago something occurred to me while I was on the rides. There was a dino ride we went on and at one point it got completely dark. The words "it's a trap" came to mind, and a second later a Dino tried to bite my head off. I saw this theme in other rides too. Darkness was often used to set you up for a fall, or to scare you with something jumping out at you. In the same way, if we drift into the darkness of this world we can fall, or get caught by the evils of this world. The darkness hides what we can't see. Temptation often hides the consequences. We must cling to the light, because light and darkness don't exist together. As long as we let God fight for us, our light will protect us from the darkness.

Thats about all I have right now. Until next time, continue to make ripples from pebbles!