Friday Favorites

1. I went swimming with my daughter in the neighbor's pool.  It has been so hot.  She is getting a lot more sure of herself as a swimmer.  It is fun to watch.

2. Our library had a program where  kids read to a dog.  It was really fun.  I want a dog bad.

3. Quote of the week, "Never laugh at your wife's choices; you are one of them."  I got more comments and likes about this than anything I have ever said on facebook.  I am not quit sure why it registered with so many people.  Or maybe I do know.

4. I added the book, How To Stop Worrying and Start Living, to my morning devotionals this week.  It is full of scripture and wisdom.  I recommend it to everyone.  I have read the book before but now I am going through it slowly each morning.

5. Tuesday night we went out for ice cream.  That was one of my favorite things with my wife this week.  Great way to beat the heat.  There is something special about going out for ice cream.  Something spiritual.

6. We are getting in the home stretch for "Our Father's Hand."  We had a lot of donations come in this week, thank you to everyone.  I also got a phone call from one Living Hope lady who is desperately trying to reach here neighbors through this ministry.  Please keep on the lookout for people we can help. Please pray for this ministry.

7. What was one of your favorite things from this past week?

Friday Favorites

1. Our car is fixed and running well after going in the shop this week. I prayed for God to help get it repaired well and as inexpensive as possible.  That prayer was answered. So I thank the Lord for this good gift. I also have a really good neighbor that let us borrow a car so we did not have to rent one. Thanks Adam. He is a teenager and he gave up his wheels for a time.

2. This picture got more comments. Our library had a petting zoo come in this week. The handler put this snake on my shoulders. It was no big deal, but it got a lot of attention. Trust me, I am not brave.

3. I got a new watering wand this week.  It is very hot and dry here.  I am getting very old, I like watering and caring for the garden.  It is one of my favorite things.




4. I finished reading the book, "The Purple Cow." It is a marketing book and that is not my favorite subject.  Someone told me the book was good.  And it was good for what it is.  I did get one thing out of the book on the very last page.  It was just something simple.  He asked you to think of 10 ways to improve your product.  I think that is always good.  To think of ways to make whatever you are doing, sermons, programs, events, better.

5. Wednesday night we took communion together.  I love doing that.  I mentioned the 7 sayings from Jesus from the cross.  I like remembering those at communion time.  Do you know what the 7 seven sayings of Jesus are from the cross?  Name a couple in the comment section.

6.  Well that was my week.  What was a favorite thing from your week?

Friday Favorites

1. I enjoyed walking in the Cutlerville Days Parade Saturday.  My daughter's school had a float.  I like handing out candy.  I really like a free t-shirt for walking in a parade.

2. Happy birthday/semi retirement to Charlene Gabbert.  It was a nice party your friends and family gave to you.

3. It was really nice having Ray and Deborah Miller with us Wednesday night.  Our meal hit the spot.  And it was great hearing what God is doing in the Philippines.

4. We got to release our butterflies this past week.  That has become an annual tradition for us.  Watching and feeding caterpillars is fun to do.  And holding a Monarch butterfly is something special my family does each year.

5.  My daughter had her first tennis camp this past week.  I am very proud she is so well rounded.  And she is in great shape.  She is an inspiration for me to get up and get moving.

6.  I am not much of a candy person, but my wife recently introduced a candy to me, and I am forever grateful.  Milk Duds are great.  I am hooked for life.  Plus, they are the most apologetic of the boxed candies.

7. What was one of your favorite things from this past week?

Friday Favorites

1. My favorite from this past week was going to the carnival with my wife and daughter.  It was E's first time to ride amusement park rides.  She had no fear.  We did get on one ride called The Zipper, about half way through the ride she said, " Maybe this one was a mistake, Daddy, "  We had a fantastic time.  That is us in the middle on the Pirate Ship.  I have on a green shirt.

2. "The Ascension" sermon from Sunday was powerful.  Many have commented on the importance of this message.  The Ascension should and will be a part of Living Hope.  Jesus is not far away.  Jesus is ruling from the oval office of the universe.  He is empowering us to work for him.  Even when life is out of control, Jesus is still in control.

3. Wednesday night's message was important as well.  "How To Pray: The Psalms Part 1."  Many people would say that they are not very god at praying.  I believe one of the reasons that is so is because they do not understand the importance of the Psalms when it comes to prayer.  This message will improve your prayer life.

4. What was one of your favorite things from this past week?

Friday Favorites

1. I know it's Saturday, but I was busy on Friday.

2. I got a new Moleskine Notebook this week. My old one broke and they are not suppose to do that. Moleskine stands by their product and they sent me a new one. Everyone should journal, write, or draw in a Moleskine. It makes you smarter.

3. My daughter's second grade program was on Wednesday. Her school, Legacy, does a good job. She was a dancer during the song, "Good Day On A Bad Day." That song is about how God turned the bad of his son's death into the greatest good the world has ever known. They did a song called, "Make The Sign of Christ." I thought that song was powerful.

4. I went to the Chick-Fil-A LeaderCast on Friday at Fair Haven Ministry. I got to hear Tim Tebow, Andy Stanley, John Maxwell, and many others. It was quite informative. Plus Peanut M&Ms were on every table, and I discovered I like Peanut M&Ms. They did not have any Chick-Fil-A Sandwiches, which would have been awesome, but they did have really good chicken, broccoli, and cheese, stuff. So let me recap, informative and ate good. Now that's what I call a conference. I tweeted out quotes from and about the conference, so go here and follow my tweets.

5. My wife and I had a date night last night. Uccello's is really good. We saw a movie. I don't like advertising movies on my blog, I will just say Hulk Smash, and you figure it out. It was a fun time.

6. What was one of your favorite things from this past week?

Friday Favorites

1. I enjoyed eating at Logan's this past Sunday with Living Hope. Mary told me that we should do that more often. I agree.









2. I laughed so hard watching these missed handshakes.  I know, I know,  I have a warped sense of humor.

3. I started reading "Practice Resurrection" by Eugene Peterson.  It is a great commentary on the book of Ephesians.  I highly recommend it.

4. The article I most enjoyed this week,"10 Words To Recover From A Broken Dream"  The word recharge really hit home with me.  I signed up to attend a local leadership conference.  I also started rereading a book that I read years ago, a book that really helped shape me when I was a young pastor.  It is called, "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff."  For me it was and is a book that keeps my attitude focused.



5. What has been one of your favorite things from this past week?

Friday Favorites

1. We got new winders, I mean windows, this week. Goodbye mold. Goodbye air letter inners. Hopefully hello lower heating bills.

2. I started back geocaching this week. It is kind of like a global scavenger hunt. You enter coordinates into your gps and find treasures people have hidden all across the country. There are probably dozens around your home. My brother-in-law put me on to this. I knew he was good for something. What do you say Jeremy?


 3. My favorite post of the week comes from me. Picture This- The Gospel of Mark Chapter 1. I am reading through the Gospel of Mark in my morning devotions and kept picturing different scenes in my mind while reading it. I call it falling into the story. Well I decided to try and show a little of what I was picturing on my blog. I think I may keep this up from time to time. I may go all the way through the Gospel of Mark, if my imagination is working.

 4. What have been some of your favorite things that happened in your life this week?

Friday Favorites

1. Our Good Friday service remains my favorite service of the year. It was very sacred. Our communion time was very powerful. Here is our message from Good Friday. A special thank you to our deacons that served communion, it was very powerful.

2. Easter Sunday was full of energy. I think I will always remember that particular day. The flowers Living Hope gave away was a great reminder that Christ turns garbage dumps into gardens. We are called to do the same in His name. I am ready for this Sunday.

3. My favorite article of the week was "Help Your Members Prepare a Testimony." These are four good questions we ask that will help tell our story of connecting with Jesus' story: What was my life was like before I met Jesus? How did I realized I needed Jesus? How did I committed my life to Jesus? What difference Jesus has made in my life?

4. This is the find of the week. My wife was looking for something at a thrift store, by the way she really dislikes thrift stores, when she came across this baby music player. This is the same player our daughter had when she was a baby. I can't tell you how many times I have heard this song. Memories came pouring back.

5. What was a favorite thing that happened to you this week?

Friday Favorites

1. I really love Palm Sunday. My daughter helped me lay down the palm branches while worship practice was taking place. Thanks Helen for bringing the palm branches. Hosanna, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

2. This week was spring break and we took a couple of days and visited Chicago. I really enjoy metropolitan places. I think they are fascinating. Not sure I would want to live there but really great for visits.

3. We ate dinner at Harry Caray's Steakhouse. I grew up listening to him and watching the Cubs lose. He always cracked me up and I enjoyed the atmosphere.

4. Our "luncheon tea party" at the American Girl Doll store was a first for me, but it made my daughter happy, so what are you gonna do?

5. My favorite place we visited for just a brief moment was "The Fourth Presbyterian Cathedral." It is a beautiful stone building, over 100 years old. It felt very sacred. They don't make Wal-Marts like that.

6. The article I enjoyed most this week was, "Is It Okay To Use A Coupon On A First Date." It cracked me up. I think if you find someone who is cool with you using a coupon on the first date, that person is a keeper. You will be using coupons on your 100th date, that is for sure.

7. I am ready for our Good Friday service tonight at 7 p.m. I am ready to take communion with Living Hope.

8. What was your favorite part of your week? Leave us a comment and let us know.

Friday Favorites

1. Well my birthday week was concluded with Rib-eye steaks on the grill and cheesecake for dessert. Now that is how you pick a birthday meal, if I do say so myself. Thanks Ben and Loreen.

2. A good portion of our week has been watching a mama duck make her nest beside the front door of our house. We named her Pato. Although everyone that sees her calls it a him. She has laid four eggs in our flower bed. They better hatch before our new windows arrive next month. I heard a duck's nest near your home is good luck, or maybe I made that up.

3. I enjoyed going with my daughter to the library's "super hero night" I wish I had a Green Lantern costume and would have nerded it up by dressing up. Elizabeth made a costume while we were there, Lady Bug Girl. More powerful than a bee, faster than a junebug, it's Lady Bug Girl.

4. We are about to start Holy Week. Palm Sunday is this Sunday. I am looking forward to our Good Friday service, Communion together that night will be very sacred. We will take an offering for our "Care Fund," and look for ways to meet people's needs in a tangible way. Easter Sunday we will celebrate our risen Lord.

5. My favorite article of the week was, "A Scripture You Don't Believe." God loves small things. Ordinary people. Insignificant gifts and undramatic acts. I always want things to be bigger, more expensive, more popular. God has chosen the insignificant things in this world to display his glory. A boys lunch of fish and bread, the widows small offering, little towns, Bethlehem and Nazareth, and the cross. Help us to give our offerings no matter how small. To share our faith no matter how weak. To give our testimony no matter how undramatic. To encourage our neighbor, no matter how small or young or ungifted or ordinary.

6. What was one of your favorite things from this past week?

Friday Favorites

1. Our chicken dinner after our Sunday morning service was really good, I believe that is the best spread we have ever had.

2. Congrats to Charlene Gabbert, Phyllis Lankford, Jim Massey, Gary VanBeek for being confirmed as deacons at Living Hope for the upcoming year. I am looking forward to presenting you to Living Hope this Sunday and us praying over you.

3. Our Leadership Session, "20 Ways To Lead During Easter" gave us some good direction for this Easter and for those to come.

4. Article of The Week, "10 Ways To Find More Hours In Your Day". Eat dinner at home, I need to remember that. Delagate some chores. There are many things I need to give to others.

5. Quote of the week, "Miracles flowed through Jesus’s humanity; they did not bypass his humanity." Brian Zahnd. I think many have tried to turn Jesus into superman and have lessened who he is in the process.

6. Yesterday was my birthday. I had a lot of birthday wishes and a lot of gifts. My wife gave me one of my favorites, an Incredible Hulk Balloon. "HULK SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY PUNY HUMAN" I am 37, how did that happen.



7. I would like to know, what was one of your favorite things from this past week?

Friday Favorites

1. We wore shorts this week. What's up with that.

2. My daughter played a hand in a school skit. She owned that part. She made that hand come alive.

3. We collected around $40 Sunday towards BGMC. Really good. I am proud of our first Sunday.

4. We have officially entered the countdown week of my birthday. March 22. Mark your calendars people.

5. Video of the week has to be the guy riding a unicycle, wearing a Darth Vader Mask, playing the bagpipes. That guy has a lot of talent.

6. My favorite article of the week, was 12 Ways To Get Out Of A Creative Funk. A good reminder that I don't always have to study, prepare, and push myself. So I got some exercise this week, watched a movie, played a really good song


-What was one of your favorite things this week?

Friday Favorites

·Jim and Joyce returned from Texas, was so glad to see them again.

·Communion on Sunday was really good. It is one of my favorite things that we do together as a church. It is sacred and we are participating in the body of Christ.

·Finally turned the corner on this cold. I can’t believe it has lasted almost a month.

·Had a great deacons meeting with Gary and Charlene. I really appreciated their wisdom in a couple of areas.

·My daughter is having a good time in gymnastics; the teacher said she has gotten a lot stronger in just a month.

·”That Was Then, This Is Now Part 2” is in the bullpen and ready to go. I am looking forward to Sunday. Here is Part 1

·My favorite article of the week: Pick Up Lines For Christian Dudes. And no I could not spend even one hour on pinterest.

Friday Favorites

I saw another blogger do this, and thought it was good. Listing a few of your favorite things from the past week.

*I wrote my sister a letter this week. I miss her and have not talked to her in quite some time.

*I got a good direction for our upcoming sermon series from the Book of Acts, I am ready for Sunday.

*I got to walk with my daughter to school 2 times this week. That is one of my favorite things.

*I lifted weights again today. I have not done that since June of last year. I felt pretty good

*I am finishing up "The King's Cross" by Timothy Keller. It is a good book. A good commentary on the gospel of Mark.