Beach Trip

Brennan enjoyed digging in the sand. At one point he was digging and then dumping the sand on his head.


Connor enjoyed digging holes with Daddy, and surprisingly, he let Daddy bury him in the sand. After I was done covering him he wanted out.

We took a trip to Virginia Beach to enjoy the sand, sun and water. Well, Mommy and Daddy enjoyed the sun and water, but Connor really enjoyed seeing the airplanes, boats, helicopters and the Goodyear Blimp. We saw military helicopters flying in formation, a lot of F-18 Navy Fighter Jets, lots of boats including some very large cargo ships, and then of course the Goodyear Blimp had to make a pass. Overall, it was a long and exciting day, but it was a good day.

It was much needed away time and get things off of our minds for a while.

Iraq Wins the Asian Cup

In their first appearance in the Asian Cup final, Iraq has won it. The only goal came in the 71st minute when Iraqi captain Younis Mahmoud headed home the goal. Iraq beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 to take home the trophy and jubilation to their fellow countrymen. Read the story here and here.

Pray for Iraq, the ending of violence, and the opportunity for the country to return to a place of peace and eventually hope. Also pray for the gospel to be proclaimed to all people within the borders of Iraq.

TX Photos

While in TX, we celebrated Oma's, Trinity's, Uncle Al's, Connor's, and Aaron's birthdays (I don't think there were anymore), and in addition to that we also celebrated Father's Day. These pictures are from Father's Day when Connor and Trinity were blowing out their birthday candles. Connor was very pleased with the tractor cake that Oma made for him.

These are the final TX photos. In the days to come I will post some photos from our trip this past week down to Virginia Beach. I worked through Memorial Day, so we took the day this past Tuesday to play at the beach.

Vision for the Church

During these two years of ministry, I have learned more than I thought possible. Between experience and reading and learning from others' experiences, I have seen some amazing things in just over two years.

As we approach the beginning of a new church year, I am again drawn back to the thought and question, "What is the ultimate purpose of the church?" If I had to give one purpose with no disclaimers or additional explanations, what is the purpose of the church, what would I say? To make Christ known.

One book that I read that was very valuable as a foundation to developing my vision for the church is Mark Dever's The Deliberate Church. What I gained from this book was simply, "Make the proclamation of the Gospel the purpose of each element of the church." Now he is not saying that if there is not preaching then don't do it, but when you have a fellowship make the purpose to develop relationships with those outside of the church, or even within, the purpose in order to bring the gospel to them. When you have a big event, develop within it the opportunity to somehow bring the gospel to the lost. When you have an ongoing ministry be sure that Bible teaching and discipleship is a main part of that.

Over the next month on Wednesdays and Sunday mornings, I will be teaching on passages concerning aspects of the Gospel. Please pray for New Hope as we continue to seek to do His will, and there are still many who are unsure of where the Lord is leading.

On Thursday, August 2, I have a deacon meeting for all active and inactive deacons. The purpose of this meeting is to share my vision for the church and a plan of action to best utilize the workers we have. Please pray that this would be well received, and that I would be discerning of the true reaction to what I share.

Recent Reads

I recently finished Dan Brown's Angels & Demons. A very good book. Suspenseful and well written. The plot moves and plenty to keep you guessing. I would recommend this book unless the thought of branded people is repulsive to you, or you just have a grudge against Dan Brown. His books have been great thrillers.

Rating: 3.5 stars




Dean Koontz has written The Good Guy a book worthy of, well, I'm not quite sure. I have been interested in reading a book by Koontz so I picked this up from Wal-Mart. It is a book that keeps moving and will probably make a great movie. I just didn't enjoy it that much. I would rather read Jason Bourne (and I will one day) or watch 24. They do everything better than "The Good Guy," and they have a personality! Maybe the Good Guy is too much like me, boring, but I felt the characters didn't develop much.

Here is the issue: "The Good Guy" has a past and so does the lady he is protecting, but you don't learn about it until the end. So you are wondering the entire time who these people are. How do you get to know someone if you don't know who they are? She has a cool car in her house, So What! Who is she? He is a Good Guy who can shoot a gun, So What! Who is he?

WARNING: The bad guy is gross! You are told what he likes to do to people before he kills them, and what he wants to do to the good guy is disgusting!

Rating: 2 stars (but the story moves)



I am currently working on God is the Gospel by John Piper. Very good book.

I appreciate Piper's academic work and his ability to bring the academic down to earth for us earthly people. He makes it very clear that the gospel is not just salvation but key to our life.

Get it and read it, and I have not even finished the book.

A Few More TX Pics

Brennan enjoying some freedom in Oma and Opa's driveway.



A thunderstorm brewing in the distance.



Connor petting the goats after feeding them.



On our way home from TX we stopped at a children's discovery museum so the boys could play, and Connor did not want to share the fire truck!

I have a couple more pictures to share after this post and then we will get back to more recent photos.

More TX Pics

Connor is usually good about posing for me. These he was already in place, and I just had to take the picture. Enjoy the pictures. There are only a few more from TX that I have picked to share.

If This Is the Church. . .

Many of you probably already know the frustrations we are experiencing in the ministry. I continue to think and wonder how God ever gets anything done.

If this is the church, then I wonder why bother.
If this is the church, then I don't want anything to do with it.
If this is the church, then I want to start a new one.
If this is the church, no wonder our country is in the mess it is.
If this is the church, then no wonder most teens will not return after HS graduation.
If this is the church, I'm done being a pastor.

I have heard some amazing things in the 2 years I have been a pastor. I have seen some things I wish I hadn't. Many times, I just want to be a good, faithful church member, and I will teach a Sunday School class! Anything but be a pastor.

I have been told that it is only the parent's responsibility to do children's and youth ministries.
I have been told that behind my back people are saying I don't let the deacons talk in the meetings.
I have been told that someone is leaving the church because I am too quiet.
I have been told that I should only preach for 30 minutes or less because people can't pay attention that long, and the person who said it is sleeping right when I get started.
And yet today, as we start VBS this evening, I found out a couple who is concerned about the church is leaving. They have expressed many great ideas but are leaving. The husband even came to a deacon's meeting and expressed concerns about the future of the church, and now they leave the church.

I don't get it. I thought we are the people of God called to selfless service.
I don't get it. I thought we are many parts but one body. I thought we are many members but one Lord, one Spirit, one Faith.
I don't get it. I thought "make disciples of all nations" was the point and purpose of the church.
I don't get it. I thought "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" was the foundation of the church.
I don't get it. I thought we were to be progressing towards a perfect holiness and Christlikeness.

If this is the church, then Lord give me strength and wisdom to continue as your servant as pastor of your people, because right now, I want nothing to do with your people.

If this is the church, then Lord, your patience exceeds mine.
If this is the church, then Lord, why did you die for it?
If this is the church, then Lord, your wisdom is greater than mine.
If this is the church, then Lord, your power is great when your work is accomplished.
If this is the church, then Lord, speak to your people.
If this is the church, then Lord, may your Spirit fall.
If this is the church, then Lord, may we love as you love.
If this is the church, then Lord, may we pray for your will.
If this is the church, then Lord, transform us.
If this is the church, then Lord, forgive me for my lack of faith.

More Pictures From Texas

Our trip to TX was quite a refreshing break and the boys certainly enjoyed Oma & Opa's porch. They could run around the house, ride bikes and catch bugs. Connor especially enjoyed when Daddy was outside with him and he could ride the trike in the driveway. I just love seeing the smiles of joy on my boys.