Sean Mixson

"When I think about..."

2011-01-25T06:27:00.000-08:00

I'm currently reading "Desire: The Journey We Must Take to Find the Life God Offers", by John Eldredge. Pretty good thus far in the reading (I just began reading it) but one thing he said caused me to stop reading and think about something he asked in the book. He writes, "Think with me for a moment. How has life turned out differently from the way you thought it would?" Hmmm... I haven't thought about that for a while now. So I figured I'd give it a shot.

Wow! It happens to me every time I think about how my life turned out. I realize that my life has not turned out like I thought it would (and for that I'm thankful!). Right after High School I immediately began college to focus on computer programming. Because I thought that's what I was supposed to do -- find a career with a high pay scale and that was in demand. That didn't pan out like I thought it would. I thought I was supposed to marry this one girl that I had dated for a number of years. Yet, again, that didn't go like I thought it would. When I secured a job at Lockheed I thought of what my life would look like - stable job, good career track, excellent retirement, etc. My life lasted there for 4.5 yrs and then God brought me to Illinois. I continued to think about how my life has turned out and to be honest, it's pretty good. Tarne is my best friend and wife, I have 4 girls that are making good choices in life (though there are the occasional bumps in the road) and my ministry is what I enjoy doing.

As I was thinking about all of this the song by Shane & Shane came to my head:

when i think about the Lord
how He saved, how He raised me
how He filled me with the Holy Ghost
how He healed me to the uttermost
when i think about the Lord
how he picked me up
turned me around
how He set my feet
on solid ground

I love the lines, "how he picked me up / turned me around". That pretty much sums up how my life has progressed. I'm going one way, going in the direction that I believe my life should be going and then -- BOOM! And then there's God picking me up, turning me around in the direction that He has set before me. Not the direction that I think I'm supposed to be going. Good thing too!

The the movie Ferris Beuller's Day Off, Ferris (played by Matthew Broderick ) says, " Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." I would have to agree but I would also add that if you don't stop and look around at what God has done in your life, you are missing out.

Take some time to think about that...

Are you Ready for This?

2011-01-13T08:22:00.000-08:00

Recently Verizon just announced that it will be carrying the much anticipated iPhone. I have to admit that I was in the group of those people that were waiting for this to happen. Yes, I too am one of the millions that have desired to type effortlessly on a touch screen of the beloved iPhone. So when this announcement was made, I for one, was pleased - though I'll just have to wait until Feb of '12 to get one when my contract is up for renewal.

Here's what got me though. When I was on verizonwireless' website they have the iPhone announcement on the front page - pretty smart huh? If you go to the next page for the iPhone it has a section on the bottom entitled, "Getting Ready Guide." Seriously? I have to have a guide to tell me how to get ready for this bucket of technology? After a few seconds of thinking I clicked on the link, I figured, "might as well see how I need to get ready." I read though the list of items and it made sense. And I closed out of the site.

Later, that phrase, "Getting Ready Guide" kept gnawing at me. I couldn't figure out why either. Until I started thinking that for the past 3 years thousands of Verizon customers (perhaps, millions) have been anticipating the iPhone's 2nd coming to the cellular world - the 1st being with AT&T. That's when it hit me. I had paid attention to the new of the 2nd coming of the iPhone in great detail with excitment, anticipation and the hope that the iPhone would bring me. Wow, that sounds familiar doesn't it? I was thinking how much I was paying attention to the 2nd coming of the iPhone rather than keeping my eyes fixed on the author and perfecter of my faith. Jesus was pretty clear with his "Getting Ready Guide" and yet, at least for me, I haven't paid much attention to it. So this week, I'm realigning my focus...

Perhaps when February 2012 rolls around I'll look into an Android phone...

TSA & God

2010-10-06T05:42:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I traveled down to Costa Rica to spend a few days with a ministry that we partner with and as I was in the security line at O'Hare I was watching people (not stalking them...just watching them, trying to figure out where they are going, are they on vacation, business, etc.) Anyway, as I watched this one couple as we moved like a heard through the security line they were reading the signs placed on the the posts. Signs that read: Please remove shoes and outer garments and place in tray. Please remove Laptops from bags and place in individual tray. Please remove all object from pockets, etc. I saw them studying the signs and I saw that they had coats on (it's getting cold in Chicago now again) and they each had carry ons.

When they got to the security screening they had know clue what to do. The TSA agent had to tell the husband, "Remove your belt and place it in the tray. Please remove your shoes and place them in the tray." The man did and then tried to go through the metal detector... no luck. "Do you have keys in your pocket?" Sure enough the man whipped out his keys. In the tray they went. Second try... no go. "Do you have a watch on?" Off came his wristwatch. Try number 3... success!! Now keep in mind that this guy's wife was witnessing this entire process. So she has already ditched the shoes, her purse, and anything else that she though would get her searched eventually. As I watched, I kept repeating, "Take off your coat, take off your coat." My esp was off that morning and she didn't hear me :) The TSA agent caught it before her first attempt and told her what she needed to do. Her first attempt through the detector was a success.

I thought about that incident for a while last night and this morning. Reason being is because I feel as if God is allowing me to see signs in my life to prepare me for what's coming ahead. Nothing bad or anything like that...just like, "Hey, Sean check this out and pay attention to it because it'll be of help to you in your life." Prov 8:33 says, "Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it."

So I have a choice... I can listen to what I hear God telling me and what He is showing me, or I can be like Mr. & Mrs. Clueless at the TSA checkpoint and ignore it until that moment in time in which I realized that I should have listened.

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. - Dr. Seuss

2010-07-17T10:05:00.000-07:00

It's official... EC 2010 has come to a close.

Last night was our ending program at EC. We started off with our Camp Song ("Get Back Up" by TobMac). By the end of the week all the kids were singing along and doing the motions. It was interesting to watch students who flatly said to our faces, "I don't believe in God," and then we hear them sing the lines, "this is love calling, love calling out to the broken, this is love calling." Lisa pointed that out last night and I really believe that God can and will use something as simple as a camp song to continue to call out to those students!

We wrapped up our session with the question of, "Love is calling, how will you answer? Will you Stand to follow Jesus?" This question was one for them to think about internally and then discuss in their groups. Over dinner tonight at Radek's house, Tarne and I were asking Radek about any reports from the groups. Right now we can count four people that have made decisions to Stand to Follow Jesus, and Radek is excited about the conversations he has had with many more students on the fence during the week. Some students that came from quite a distance are even asking if they can attend Garaz572 at Radek's home! God used the students to show his love to the others students this week. If you are one of the parents of those students, thank you for allowing them this opportunity to exhibit Christ to others!

Today, we cleaned the camp in record time and then we hiked 2 miles into Chotebor to catch our train to Kurim. We boarded the crowded train and traveled about 20 minutes and then switched trains to one with private berths. We all clammored onto the train and occupied empty berths and then we enjoyed the hour long ride through the Czech country side. Dustin came up to me during the ride and said, "This is so cool." Even Kamryn is excited to tell her 2nd grade class that she road a train in the Czech Republic. Too bad the majority of 2nd graders don't know where that is :)

As I'm typing this all of the students (and Lisa) have been parceled out to host homes for the evening. I've heard that some of the students will be attending a birthday party in the community while others will be heading to Brno to do some shopping. Tarne, Kylie, Kamryn, Christa, and I are at Radek's house chilling with him and his wife, Laura, along with David (2) and Gracie (8 mo). We're having church tomorrow at the Garaz and then after having lunch with everyone we'll head back to Prague for the evening. I know that when that time to leave comes there will be many tears shed. But, like Dr. Seuss said, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." And I know that even if we don't crosss paths again with some of those that we became close to, we will smile one day when we see those very same faces praising our God in heaven one day with us!

This is Love Calling

2010-07-15T11:56:00.001-07:00

Wow... it's kinda hard to imagine that tomorrow will be our last full day of English Camp 2010. It's been a great week (even though I can smell the septic system fumes waufting through my window right now...gimme a minute and I'll be used to it). Radek and I were talking tonight and we both have felt that overall it's been a great week. The only negative that we both could tell would be the facilities. This is a new place for all of us so we didn't know what to expect. The biggest issue is the water. It seems that they have a well pump system that suppliments their natural spring. And this week their spring is starting to dry up as there has not been a lot of rain. This and the fact that there are 87 of us here using water. We're figuring things out with the water and I'm sure that by the time we leave on Saturday afternoon we'll have it nailed down!

Yesterday was our hike. As in typical Czech fashion we hiked with really no agenda. This wreaks havoc with our North American brain as we always have to have a purpose for everything. And when we are told that we're going for a hike, we'd like to know our purpose... No purpose, just to hike. That doesn't quite compute for our North American culture... But it was a good hike. One American and one Czech had to return early but other than that we all had a great time.

Oh yea, I guess I should give the injury report. As with any trip we encounter the occassional scrape, fever, etc. Here's our injury report:

Jim -- didn't feel well, actually he was sick for most of the day. He's back to normal now and feeling good

Christa, Tayler, Brit & Kyrie -- Upset stomach most of the day. Thankfully nothing came from it.

Katrina -- Ankle issues

Kyrie -- Knee issues

Becca -- broken toe, same one she's broken multiple times. When she told me she was laughing a bit at the fact that once again it's broken. Our camp nurse has taken care of her and actually added extra bandaging to help her gain more sympathy. :)

Gabe & Tayler -- Today during games the were not there normal peppy selves. It's been a long week!

Sean, Tarne & Lisa -- lack of sleep syndrome...symptoms include occassional blank stares, falling asleep while talking and repeating what we just said and repeating what we just said and repeating what we just said.

As we wrap up our evening here I would ask that you pray specifically for the Czechs that are wrestling with God and the decision that has been placed before them. There are a number of them that are "on the fence" and we'd love to see them answer the Call. The message was pretty strong tonight and tomorrow night we'll be wrapping it up with a call to Stand to Follow Christ. So any and all prayers would be appreciated!

We're Not in Kansas Anymore...

2010-07-14T04:27:00.000-07:00

Okay... I'm fine with the cultural exchange between us and the Czechs. I'm even okay with the differences we have with hygiene. But there are just some things that remind me that I'm not in Kansas...(or Orland Park/Mokena/Frankfort)

Yesterday as we were finishing up our dinner a tractor pulled to the rear of the building and it was trailering a tank of somesort. I knew what it was and sure enough he backed the tank up to the septic tank and began to empty it out. That didn't phase me. I've been in Mexico and other places when they've done that so I figured as soon as his tank was full, he'd be on his merry way. After about 10 minutes he left. Wow, that wasn't bad at all, I thought. Then surprisingly he returns about 10 minutes later... hmmm that's odd. He fills up again and leaves...He does this about 3 more times until we finally watch him travel about 200 yards from the camp to a field to where he proceeds to mimic the scene in Christmas Vacation when Cousin Eddie is emptying his RV sewage system in front of Clark's home. The only thing missing here was the tuba music playing "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer". I was shocked (and so was a few other Czech leaders who assured me that what I was seeing was very illegal). But I'm not in Kansas anymore...

more about non-Kansas later :)

Other than cousin eddie we're all doing very well!!

English Camp @ Chata Doubravka

2010-07-13T07:10:00.001-07:00

We're in the middle of Day 3 here at EC 2010. We just finished with our activity time which usually consists of 2 hours of some type of running / relay games. Today one of the games they played was called "průjem", which is Czech for Diarrhea. Yea, sounds like loads of fun huh? There are four different kinds of průjem chasing you (I'll spare you the details of those four types) and you have to make it to the base in order to score a point. If you get caught by any of the four types of průjem then you have to give up one of your four squares of toilet paper. But if you're running low on TP (heaven forbid!) you can try to catch constipation (are you thoroughly grossed out yet?) to get more squares of TP. Sounds gross but for some reason it works.

This morning was spent in the typical fashion here at English Camp (which if you want to look it up as to where we are at you can check out: http://www.chatadoubravka.cz/). Morning devotions followed by breakfast. Breakfast is the main meal in which if you like fresh veggies you want to stock up. Cucumber, tomatoes, green & red peppers are served along with an array of rye bread, hoska bread, meats and cheeses. There's also cereal :) This morning's English Classes went really well. One of the groups decided to take a short hike around the camp and the stream that I can hear through my window at night. They used the time to talk through English and teach words such as "needles", "bark" and other words that they may not typically learn in a school setting.

The American students are forming some tight bonds with the Czech (no worries... we haven't had any proposals yet) and it's really cool to watch all of our students being able to connect with them. Brit is always smiling! Even this morning when I was nursing my first cup of coffee, she was smiling. Emily has picked up with friendships that she made last year and has made a lot of new ones. (I hope that the Trokey family continues to like Czech visitors in their home!! :) ). Christa is a beast when it comes to the activities! I think she's outlasting some of the guys!! Katrina is gathering facebook info on all her roommates (and I've already told her our house is way too small for multiple visitors!). Kyrie is the social butterfly right now and has really stepped it up. Tayler...let's see, what can I say about her? There are so many things :) But she is quite possibly the most energetic in our group. And she is constantly carrying Kylie or Kamryn during the games -- and she does it all with a smile! Paige is a great asset to the group. Her quiet spirit has been a blessing to the Czechs. There's one Czech girl, Lenka, that in the past 4 yrs that I have been participating in English Camp have only heard probably a dozen words from her. Paige has broken through whatever was holding Lenka back and she is now freely talking with the Americans! It's great!! Amanda has taken the role of adult leader to heart. This afternoon during lunch she was serving along side some of the Czech in clearing the tables and just being a servant all around. Becca has helped out with worship and is invaluable when it comes to the E classes! Lisa Cooper is adjusting to being in a room with 5 other Czech girls and is thankful for Ambien -- she also realizes why God did not give her and Ken all girls :) The boys... the boys are always loved here. Not sure why. Perhaps it's because the Czech girls really don't know them yet :) Jim, as we guessed, is a big hit with the guys in sports. His boundless energy is great to have here! Jim lead the morning devotional on Monday morning and did an awesome job out of Ecc. 4:12. Dustin is a great teacher and has played in the worship band with the jimbe and keyboard already. On Friday he will be leading in the morning devotional. Gabe strangely enough hangs out mostly with girls. Smart boy :) Seriously though, he's constantly running around and doing crazy things... and if you haven't guessed it by now, the painted nails in the picture are Gabe's (now his mom is seriously embarrassed :) ). Last but not least, Tarne -- she's been great to have here again at EC! She helps keep things grounded and is always looking out for the best interests of the team as well as the Czechs. Without her it would be tough to do this trip. All the things that she does behind the scenes helps this team out so much!

Keep praying for the American Team and the Czech Team! Satan is working overtime here and there to destroy our unity and witness here. We're doing fine, but we can feel it and see it sometimes in action. But the same God who conquered sin and death is the same God who's got our backs. So we're good!

Oh yea, Happy Birthday to my Mom!!

The Universal Solvent

2010-07-11T12:25:00.000-07:00

We're nearing the end of second day of EC. It's been another long day but there is much rejoicing in Whoville! The water pump has been fixed and much to the joy and elation of every girl here the guys were able to shower after a full day of activities. Trust me, water is a beautiful thing! I made the mistake of walking in to the guys bathroom and it took me a full 10th of a second to see (or rather smell) the error of my ways and I high tailed it out of there.

It was actually interesting to see the change in moods with the students (and adults) when we were told that the water was back on. It was just a few hours before that Radek and I were discussing the ramifications if the water pump was unable to be fixed. It's one thing to go without showering for a few days, but not having drinking water nor being able to have sanitary facilities is another world. I do realize that many people throughout the world don't have those basic things in life and I've actually been in places that live like that -- and it breaks my heart. But when there is options available to us, that's a whole different story. Radek and I had begun the beginning discussions of if it continued what our options were. So, when Kylie came running up to me and said, "Dad, I just turned the water on in the bathroom and the faucet worked!" It was like new life was given to all of us. And when Radek announced to the camp that the water was on there really was much rejoicing in Whoville!

In Revelation 7:17 it says that the Lamb, who is the Shepherd, will lead us to streams of living water. And today we got a just a very small glimpse of what that celebration may sound like.

Water does live up to it's name as the universal solvent....

Thank God for new water pumps and for Living Water :)

p.s. The picture is not from EC...sorry. It's a picture from the region of Turkana where CMF works to bring water to the people there for the very first time. This is one of those pictures captured by a CMF intern last summer.

You're Kidding Me!

2010-07-11T00:18:00.000-07:00

EC Day 2 - Part 1

Slowly we rolled out of bed to a cloudless sky in the mountains of the Czech Republic. It had cooled off from the previous days heat so I was hoping that when I saw our American team they would be well rested from yesterday's long travel and long hours. For the most part they were all rested. Jim Crumb was overly bubbly this morning (but I'm thinking that's not a rarity for him) & Tayler had her usual smile and was giving Jim a run for his money in the bubbles department.

When Tarne and I entered into the room to where we were having morning devos (after getting coffee -- a much needed item this morning) our team was gathered and ready to start the day. Boris lead the devos with a passage from 1 Cor 3:7-11. Afterwhich, 3 of the Czech girls lead the worship (which was really really good!)

From my room where I am writing this I can hear some of the English Classes in sessions. There's lots of laughing and giggling so I'm assuming right now that that is a good thing! From the reports during the break in between classes we are getting the same reports as usual. The advance groups are good. The beginning groups are a little more difficult to get into the swing of things. But that's to be expected due to the language barriers.

One thing that I find ironic is that we told everyone to make sure your water bottle is always full because you never know when you won't have access to water. At last year's camp there was a storm that knocked out power for roughly 20 hrs during which time we could not shower, use the facilities or get drinking water because the well system is powered by electricity. That made for an interesting 20 hours! Well, I'm happy to say that we haven't had a storm, nor is our electricity out... but our water pump is broken and they are trying to fix it :)

Radek: "Hey Sean?"

Sean: "Yeah, I'm in here."

Radek: "Hey, they just told me that the water pump is broken."

Sean: "You're kidding me!" (As I glanced over to my 1/2 full water bottle)

I was informed that we don't have to worry about drinking water. But showering is out for right now and let's just say that the woods near the camp will be busy with happy/unhappy campers using God's creation as a giant outhouse. Hey... it could be worse. Don't ask me how because I don't want to describe how it could be worse :)

Chotebor, Czech Republic V.1.1

2010-07-10T04:05:00.000-07:00

whew...

I'm sitting in the main hall where we will be doing most of the English Camp. The Czech team is putting the final touches on the setup (we just used the universal fix it tool to hang the video projector... Duct Tape!)

It seems like it hasn't been 3 days since we left Chicago. Leaving was an adventure all to it's own! We were 2 hours late in leaving which meant that our 1 hour 45 minute connection layover at the Heathrow Airport in London was not going to happen. But luckily for us when we landed British Airways had already re-booked us on another flight and our luggage was also taken care of! We were able to contact Radek and let him know of the change (he was enroute to the airport in Prague when I called). We got settled into the hotel Krystal about 4.5 hours behind schedule. Not too bad.

Friday we spent the entire day in Prague. We did some site-seeing, souvenir shopping and of course eating. It was a long hot day in Prague and when we returned to the hotel we were wiped out!

We had to be ready to roll at 5:30 this morning to catch the tram, to catch a bus and the final leg of the trip -- hike to camp. When we boarded the bus, which was driven by Uncle Rico's twin brother, we did not know what to expect for the day. The drive to Chotebor was pretty uneventful and that's a good thing. When we arrived to Chotebor we began the rather long trek to the camp. First through the town and then through the woods to grandmother's house we did go. When we arrived we immediately began to set up for camp. Finish putting the volleyball court together, putting up a large, old canvas tent in the heat and the students did a GREAT job with all the tasks that laid before them!!

The arrival of the Czechs at around 3pm and there was much rejoicing! We then spent the next 3 hours getting the students checked in, tested for their English placements and catching up on friendship that began last year and starting new friendships.

I'm excited about what's going to happen this week and Tarne even said, "I think this will be a great year." She was referring to the caliber of our students and how they stepped it up already!

living on automatic

2010-07-03T10:33:00.001-07:00

In just a couple of days I'll be leaving with a number of high schoolers for the Czech Republic. This will be our 4th year working with Radek and his ministry Garaz572. We'll be helping him with his English Camp. The previous year's trips have been life-changing not only for the Americans, but also the Czechs. During the last three years of doing EC with Radek, 21 Czechs have accepted Christ at the camp! This is amazing and it's a humbling experience to be a part of that!

So, as we get ready to go, I have to get my house in order. Right now I'm on the shopping hunt for a new automatic pool vacuum (our old one has passed after a galant effort in the fight of dirt and debris in our pool) and also I have to replace the automatic timer for the filter. I don't want our house sitter to have to vacuum out the pool nor remember when to turn on and off the filter. So, it's all automatic baby!

Which got me thinking. How easy it is for me to desire that my spiritual journey be automatic. Something that I don't have to think about, something that I don't have to work at or remember to do. It just kinda happens routinely. Wow, I'm pathetic. But I know that I'm not alone in this thinking either (which doesn't make me feel any better or worse about this). I look at myself and I find my spiritual journey on auto mode. I'm doing the things to keep in this mode, so I guess I am working on it some, but it's not at all in the manual mode, which I think God really wants it to be for me.

I came across a verse in Proverbs that really helped me to see the automatic/manual mode thing a little clearer for me. 14:23 says, "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." When I read this I realize that it's talking about manual labor (working) but I instantly thought about how many times I have talked and discussed with others things that I need to be doing in my own life in order to help in my spiritual journey. Then only to realize that that's all I did... just talked about it. I never switched to manual mode in order to put in place things that I talked about. I merely talked about them and probably figured that if I spoke it out loud then God would hear me and then He'd flip the switch to automatic mode for me and I'd be golden! Living on automatic doesn't bring the life that I want. It leads to the life that I'm trying to leave behind.

So, automatic vacuums are a good thing, automatic spiritual journeys are not.

solution...not a quick fix

2010-05-07T06:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Tarne gave me an article to read about a cafe in Colorado. I know, wow... a story about a cafe'. But as I read I began to see something...

You can read about it at their site: http://www.soallmayeat.org/

But here's the gist of it, this couple where living like just like most of us do. Working, being responsible, etc. But they felt something missing. They had served in soup kitchen to assist those in need but in the back of their mind there was something more.

They decided to open the S.A.M.E. Cafe to reach out to others with great food and if you could pay great, if not, you could eat and then assist them in the cafe' with clean up, etc. Empowering those people who they were reaching out to.

Here are some articles on it, you gotta read them!

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/17/eveningnews/main6217751.shtml

http://move.themaneater.com/stories/2010/1/22/restaurants-serve-healthy-meals-dignity/

What impressed me is that this couple wanted to do something more than just a "band aid" fix. They went at it with a holistic approach and were concerned with the individuals, not just the situation. If you read through the articles you'll get some glimpses of that.

So, what about me? In all that I do for other, after all, I'm called to serve others, am I doing "band aid" fixes or am I looking at those through the eyes of God and seeing them as people that Christ died and therefore they are the same as me.

What really sticks out is that yesterday morning before I read about S.A.M.E. Cafe, I was downtown Chicago taking care of passport stuff. While I was walking through the streets, I saw a homeless man with a cardboard sign... Of course I just walk by him without thinking... but I saw his sign. It just said, "Please Understand." That sign and this story about a cafe have really began to allow God to work through my heart on some things.

- serving is not just about solving a problem

- serving is about reaching out to the individuals and be Christ

- God is asking me to Understand.

Czech Republic

2007-08-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

After spending the better part of 15 hours traveling to the Czech Republic we stepped outside of the Prague airport to await our bus. Our luggage had already been picked up by a van and was on the way to the hotel. It's at that point that I realized how big the language barrier was going to be. At least in Mexico you can kinda piece together what's going on because of our common language roots.... but Czech and English aren't even close! For example; Kurim is pronounced coo-sheem and Kromeriz is crow-mare-sheesh. As I stood with our Czech guide waiting for the bus, I took this picture of the bus, tram, subway lines in Prague. I guess it kinda captured how I was feeling at the time... lots of directions for places that I had no idea existed or even how to begin to get there. This trip was going to really stretch all of us.

People ask me how this trip compared to our annual Ensenada, Mexico trip or the Servant Leadership Trip in Cabo. To be honest, you really cannot compare them. This trip had it's own flavor to it. We were there strictly to build relationships with the Czech students and leaders through the English Camp. We weren't building anything that you could see, measure or admire when finished. It was based not on our physical abilities, but I think on this trip, it was based more on how much we allowed God access to us in order to reach others.

The English Camp was a great experience! Our kids did a great job in their English classes!! Every Czech leader that I spoke with was thrilled with the content and the preparedness of the teaching teams! I was very proud of them.

For me, the trip was also a great experience! I was able to preach six nights at the camp and on the last night we had 7 students decide to accept Christ! I was thrilled that God's Spirit had reached so many during the week when we were told not to expect any decisions! I was humbled by the fact that God used me to accomplish something so cool.

I could continue on and on about the trip. About the new friends, the amazing city of Prague, the food (mostly carbs), etc. But at the end of the trip, the language barrier was not a barrier... it was just another avenue in which I was able to see God working in my life.

What Happens at CIY, Stays at CIY.... How Tragic!

2007-06-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

I can't take credit for that statement. My amazing wife came up with it on the last day of Summer Conference. We were talking about t-shirt slogans and she's always the one with the witty sayings (examples: "These are my church clothes", "They will know we are Christians by our T-shirts...where's the love, man!?"). Anyway, that statement really hit home for a bit. Think about it for a moment...In reality it's a true statement. Sad, but true. I just spoke to a parent today and asked them if their son told them anything about CIY. The answer I received? "Nope, he hasn't said a word." Wow! I would expect that after what took place this past week, the whole community of Mokena, Orland Park, Frankfort, Tinley Park and many others would get sick of hearing everything that took place at CIY...that would be cool -- being annoying for Jesus!

What happens at CIY... If you were there, remember the masks? The plexiglass walls? The mirror? How can you not tell people of what happened? The tears of joy? The tears of guilt, of the realization that we stink and we are all in need of a loving saving grace? Oh my gosh... will we all be silent? If so, I think that the rocks and trees are going to step it up and cry out on our behalf!

Stays at CIY... How Tragic! Again, this would be tragic! How sad it would be if we spent a week encountering God once again (or for the first time) and yet did nothing with it? It would make the week of CIY just an expensive week away from home...nothing more. Each year we go to CIY Summer Conference, each year we come home, each year the fire that was lit during that week dies out around the beginning of school. Unless...

you can fill in the rest.

worship, follow & listen

2007-06-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

Those three things I have been on my mind since 5:45am this morning. A friend asked me to read an introduction to Eugene H. Peterson's The Jesus Way and give him my feedback on the intro.

I headed over to Blackberry's for an early morning meeting and figured I'd arrive early so I could read through this intro. I got into the second paragraph and I was immersed in it! Lately books have been boring me and it's nice to have the ability to dive in again. Anyways, I got to something that Peterson wrote, "The whole North American ways and means culture, from assumptions to tactics, is counter to the rich and textured narrative laid out for us in our Scriptures, regarding walking in the way of righteousness, running in the way of the commandments, following Jesus. In matters of ways and means, the world gives scant attention to the what it means to live, to really live, to live eternal life in ordinary time: God is not worshipped, Jesus is not followed, the Spirit is not given a voice." (The Jesus Way, pg 3 of the Introduction)

I sat at the booth with my hands wrapped around my coffee mug and allowed the full weight of the last few words settle into my being... they settled alright... kinda how a brick settles when you heave the sucker into a pool. The part where he wrote that the Spirit is not given a voice was ironically speaking very LOUD in my spirit. I realized then, as the early breakfast crowd was slowly filling the booths around me, the I haven't been worshipping, following Jesus or listening the the Spirit. Gosh, I suck! For a while now I've been just kinda drifting, floating...not really digging my feet in for a good hike with Jesus.

I sat in silence listening to the Spirit amongst the sounds of morning chatter between customers, and I heard him. It felt good. It was a good morning. Jon walked in for our get together and I was more that excited to talk with him about I had read.

I want to worship... I want to follow Jesus and I want to give the Spirit a voice in my life...

It's happened to me!!!

2007-05-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

It finally happened....

It was Saturday, May 5 (happy Cinco de Mayo (perhaps that has something to do with it, I dunno)) around 2pm.

I was helping a friend in Newman, IL get his wife's car from getting detailed. I was to drive his Ford truck. I got behind the wheel, silently missing my 1987 Toyota Pick Up, and proceeded to follow Rich. What happened next I really can't explain. I was driving, the windows down, the sun shining above, the warm weather caressing me (okay that sounds weird, but it's true) and the radio playing. Rich's radio station... C-O-U-N-T-R-Y!!! I was about to change it when I was sucked into the station... much like a Hary Chrishna is probably sucked in... I started listening to the music. I listened to the words of the songs and I was okay with it! Oh my gosh! I was basking in the country nastalia while driving a pick up truck, with the windows down and the wind tossing my hair all about. I drove back to Tarne's parent's house and didn't say a word. I felt as if I had betrayed my 80's Rock upbringing! This can't be happening! Ronnie James Dio must be turning in his grave! Wait, he's not dead yet...my bad!

I drove back home Saturday night (by myself). And guess what happened?!?!?!? I was scanning stations for COUNTRY stations! Someone shoot me! The whole 2.5 hour drive I scanned for country stations, I bypassed 80's stations, rock stations, I even tried to hang out at a punk station... but that didn't last long. I'm old...

I got home and I turned on the stereo here. I passed through the preset stations to the country station (it's playing as I type this...). I can't believe I'm saying (typing) this... I'm liking what I hear. I feel like I'm trying to learn a new language... I don't know who the singers are, the groups are... but I'm drawn to this strange alluring music... what has bewitched me?!?!?!?!!!

again... I'm old. Next, I'll be following NASCAR with a passion. I'll have a flag outside with a number on it! arrrrgggghhh!!!!

I'm back...

2007-01-17T05:52:00.000-08:00

Yep, the sabbatical is over and I'm back to work. I started back yesterday and it was a long day :). It was good to be back, I enjoyed seeing everyone at the office again and Doreen did a happy dance when she saw me.

What did I learn during my sabbatical?

1. That Tarne is amazingly more beautiful to me than when we first met, my kids are incredible and I love spending time with them.
2. I had great plans to read a lot of books to inspire me, rejuvinate me, challenge me and help me to become a better pastor. But what I learned was that God wanted me to just be still and know that He is God. He is God over my life. (I still read some really great books, not just all the ones that I had brought home with me).
3. I was able to refocus my priorities in my life.
4. I saw God in everyday life situations rather than just seeing him working through the church.
5. I contemplated much, pondered many things about my life and listened to God's voice to gain wisdom and understanding.
6. My best laid plans for me during my sabbatical were often "thrown out the window" and I went with what God was doing in my life...rather than me trying to fit God where I thought he should be.

Was it benefical? Most definately. Was it difficult? It was harder than I thought it would be, but that also threw me into the arms of Jesus more...which is a good thing.

I believe someone said it best when they said to me, "you look rested, at peace." I gained peace during my sabbatical and that's what I needed.

new year, new post

2007-01-05T14:57:00.000-08:00

I'm coming into the home stretch of my sabbitcal. In just a little over a week, I'll be back in the office. I was talking with a guy at the gym about this subject this morning. He said he was off all last week and it was hard for him to get back in to the swing of things.

One of inevitable questions that I get practically from everyone is, "How is the sabbitcal going?" My answer has changed from week to week. At the beginning it was more of me winding down from work related things. Then it moved into a slowing down phase and really enjoying my family (which was right when Christmas was fast approaching). Now it's more than that. I still enjoy my family, but I have gotten out of my "box" to see God in different areas. Let me try to explain...

At work I am able to hear about how God is working in people's lives, in the ministries at PCC, what He is doing through others. In 18 years of youth ministry I have learned to look for God's hand while in the office, at church, at conferences, at conventions, etc. I have never been away from work this long and what God is showing me is a renewing of the excitment of His presence in EVERYDAY life. Not just at church, not just while I'm doing church things or ministry. I have been able to see God in the little things. I've been reset to see God in everyday life.

Race Horses

2006-12-20T12:13:00.000-08:00

This past weekend my family and I traveled to Lexington, KY to visit some friends that are moving back to France. While we visited, Declan showed us around the horse racing farm that he manages (Hurricane Hall). I've seen race horses run, and I used to live across the street from a farm that housed horses in Californing growing up. But this weekend was an experience. Declan not only showed us around the vast expanse of the farm. But he allowed us to see what it takes to keep a race horse, to train one and what the expectations of each horse.

Sunday morning they ran the horses as they would during a race. The farm is set up with a mile track for the horses and there's a road parrallel that we were able to follow in a truck. The speed of these horses were amazing! Just being able to watch these horses train was a great experience! Declan said something that hit me as profound during our visit. He said of the 70 or so horses that they house, only 10 will make any money for their owners. And this being said right after telling us the daily training that all the horses endure. After all the training, the strengthening, etc, only 10 out of 70 will only do what they were purchased to do... make money. It got me thinking... God purchased me with the blood of his son. I was purchased and created as his workmanship to do good works. Hmm... I was created to do good works. The horses that Declan oversee were created to run and make money. Each horse is given the same treatment each day. But sadly, most of them will not live up to their purpose. God treats us all the same, loves us all the same... I want to live up to my purpose, I don't want to be one of the 60 that doesn't.

This visit was good. I spent a lot of time with my family and I spent a lot of time with God going over things. It's good.

Dec 12

2006-12-12T14:03:00.000-08:00

It's about time for an update....

I'm still reading bits and pieces of the books that I brought home with me. It's good to be able to read when I'm able to focus on the task at hand. Revalation's Rhaspody, by Dr. Lowery has far been my most enjoyable book thus far. I loaned it to Jason today, but I'm hoping to have it back soon so I can continue with it.

I've spent the last couple of days recouping from the bug that seems to be infecting a lot of people lately. I've been able to really spend time with my kids. Usually I leave the house before they are up and ready for school, so being home is allowing to see how awesome my wife is!

My one project that I wanted to complete is done...finally! I was supposed to just paint Katrina and Kylie's room. But when I started prepping their room, I decided to pull down all the paneling that was in their room. I thought it would be fairly easy, but in retrospect it may have been easier on me (and Tarne) if I had just painted it like planned. Mid-way through the project I realized that I was way over my head in trying to figure out just how to correctly patch and repair the walls where the paneling glue had wreaked havoc with the walls. I ended up calling a friend for advice. I was able to listen to him and understand what was going and I was able to fix it. Later I was beginning to understand something about me, spiritually. I often tackle my spiritually like I attempted to remodel the girl's room - by myself, with no help. It wasn't until I knew that I couldn't go any further that I called on someone. With this sabbatical, it's not just me being off work for a time. It's me working with other people to help me re-energize spiritually. I cannot do a sabbatical on my own, it must be with others that enable me to draw closer to God.

On a side note, Kamryn is still trying to figure out why I'm not going to work like I normally do.

Tuesday, December 5

2006-12-05T15:40:00.000-08:00

God's word is GREAT! I'm reading through the entire Bible while I'm gone and it's amazing. I've finally gotten away from reading thinking, "This would make a great lesson," to reading it and just allowing it to affect me. I love it!

Sunday, Dec 3rd

2006-12-03T14:21:00.000-08:00

First Sunday NOT at church. It was tough. Resetting to zero is sometimes hard. It took all my energy while I was driving to Dominick's not to call Jason or Adam to see how things were at church this morning. This sabbatical thing is a little harder than I thought it would be.

Jason and I were talking briefly on Friday about my detachment from church. Though it's only been 5 days today, I find myself thinking about the ministry at PCC. When I was watching a movie on Friday night, I was thinking how I could use certain clips for teaching illustrations. I was just browsing a book that Tarne just bought and I was trying to figure out when and how I could utilize it in the ministry at Parkview.

It's good that I'm thinking about that, but on the same lines, I need to detach so that God can reset me to zero.

I'm continuing in my reading through the Bible and I currently reading, You: The Owner's Manual.

In closing this blog, let me just say that everything is fine at PCC. This sabbatical was tossed around between leadership and myself. I was not asked to take a sabbatical. I was asked if I wanted to take a sabbatical for me. This sabbatical was a great decision, and I'm so glad that I'm at a church that loves the pastors so much that they allow them to get away like this. In talking to other friends in ministry I'm noticing that a sabbatical is rare and a even more rare for someone in Student Ministries. PCC is taking care of their staff above and beyond!

Sabbatical -- Day Uno

2006-11-29T12:48:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day of my Sabbatical.

Actually it was kinda funny last night at High School Relevant (our small group program). People kept asking me how many hours until my Sabbatical started and it was kinda a game with them. Some of the students sang, "Goodbye" to me at the end of Relevant... "Na, na, na, na... hey, hey, goodbye". But last night I saw God in a couple of students. It energized me, it encouraged me and at the same time I knew I would miss those kids during my 6 weeks off.

This morning began at 5 am with my 6 week reading thru the entire Bible while I'm gone. I left at 5:45am for my men's small group (they are the ones that are holding me accountable to my time off, praying for me, challenging me, and making me laugh) and then I went to the gym. It was sorta weird being off on a Wednesday. I'm beginning the process of slowing down, disconnecting and trying to stop being a "youth pastor" and being a child of God trying to reconnect with "Abba". Today feels like just another day that I'm "off" but I hope that will quickly change.

I already called Teri to have her begin some ground work on some projects that I need to be working on, but I hope that the calls to the office will begin to be less and less as I spend time with God, my family and just "resetting to zero."

Tonight is Jason Anhalt's 33rd birthday dinner. It's NOT work related!!! I'm looking forward to spending time with him and Brookelyn.

More later.....

Things that I'm reading: Genesis 1-16, Psalm 1-6, Proverbs 1:1-20, Matt. 1-6 I'll be beginning "You: The Owner's Manual" tomorrow. (Tarne's says it GREAT!)

Reset to Zero - My Sabbatical

2006-11-27T06:30:00.000-08:00

In just a few days I will be beginning my journey to reset to zero. I'm excited about it and nervous about it at the same time. Sorta sounds like a pre-pubescent Junior high boy huh? Let me see if I can verbalize what I'm feeling about this Sabbatical.

I'm excited from the standpoint that the last time that I had six weeks off was probably when I was 12 years old. So, I'm excited about slowing down, clearing my head, not rushing off to here or there. I'm looking foward to spending time at home helping out with the girls. Helping them get off to school, hanging out with them and just enjoying them while I'm able to do so.

Sitting on a table in my office is 12 books that I'll be reading. I'm excited about being able to read without interruptions or without my mind traveling to work things that have to be hammered out.

I'm excited to experience God again.

I'm nervous about being "out of the loop" for six weeks. I'm not looking forward to being away from the students for that length of time. Will I "lose touch" with them during that time? Will I become ineffective? On the other side, I can be renewed in my effectiveness and have a new found desire for students and ministering to them.

Resetting to zero is not a painfree experience. God reset the Israelites back to zero when they left Egypt. Not the most pleasant of experiences, but it was what was needed. When Jesus was crucified and the temple curtain was torn in two, God reset how we approach him back to zero. Paul (then Saul) while on the road to Damasscus was reset to zero when he came face to face with God. Resetting to zero is a good thing.

I'm excited about resetting to zero.

NYWC '06

2006-10-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

It's been just a few hours since returning from the NYWC '06 in Austin, Texas. Though it's just been roughly less than 24 hours, the thoughts have been running through my head for a while now. In fact, I believe that I was running through this post in my sleep last night.

Something that keeps haunting me is a video clip that was shown. It was one of those 3rd world country ones in which it highlights the poor and needy. What's been haunting me is the fact that as Americans we are so very rich when compared to the rest of the world. Now, if you drove by my house, you'd probably not think that I'm one of the rich ones. By US standards, I'm far from being rich. But when you put me up against the world's standards, I'm loaded. Why is this affecting me now more than normal? I have a couple of ideas...

1. I'm old. Seriously, I'm getting older so my priorities and desires change. I remember my first car; a 1980 Toyota Pick-Up. It was so awesome! My priority for that truck was to lower it and get a great sound system put in it. Nothing else matter. I wanted to make sure that people all around could be subjected to my music. Now, I listen to AM talk radio in my car. I still love music, it's just my desires have changed with my age.

2. I'm really in to simplicity. I've been reading different authors talk about the need for simplicity in our lives and I'm finding that I'm really liking it. I've always been simplistic in some areas of my life, but I'm trying to seek God's design on this for my life even more.

With those two points, I believe that I'm haunted by the fact that I should be doing more to affect the poor in the world. I should be doing more to affect the poor in my community. What that looks like, I'm not sure just yet. I'm hoping that not only I change, but I'm hoping to raise up many young people to have different desires and priorities than what being an American causes us to have!

Mexico...

2006-08-07T12:16:00.000-07:00

4 days after the fact it's still impactful.

I spent a week in Mexico building a house for a family in need; Margarita and her 2 girls.

I spent a week in Mexico watching the students that we were with change with each passing day.

I spent a week in Mexico listening to God without the distractions that haunt me in my "normal" life.

I spent a week in Mexico talking with God. Not just asking for things, but really heart to heart talks.

I spent a week in Mexico seeing Acts 2:44 come to life. And wishing it would never end.

I spent a week in Mexico meeting new friends that I have come to love as brothers.

I spent a week in Mexico...and it's impact will last a lifetime.

Bi-Polar CIY

2006-07-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

I'm up, I'm down...

I'm sitting at home listening for the garage door to open indicating that my girls are finally home! I haven't seen them since last Saturday!

Monday I traveled to Adrian, Michigan for the CIY Summer Conference. Leaving the comfort of my own bed, my quiet house (it's quiet after all the girls crash) and my sanity.

I loved this week of CIY. I hated this week of CIY. Let me 'splain...

Loved -- watching God directly come in contact with students this week, seeing the tears of relief flow, the tears of joy flow, seeing strained relationships healed, seeing new relationships started, hearing God speak, having God speak through me...

hated -- the drama, the fact that 5 girls passed out on Thursday (one went to the ER, but all are now doing great), selfishness of individuals, seeing Satan at work to destroy what God is doing...

I'm tired. I'm physically tired...lack of sleep is not good for this old body... and I'm emotionally tired. This has been my toughest week thus far in the history of CIY Summer Conferences.

But you know what? I cannot wait for next years' conference to see what happens! I love this!!!