last 2004 blog...

Well, this is it for 2004. What are your resolutions for 2005? Here are mine:

1) The ole' lose weight thing. It's time to get back on the wagon. I've still got a net loss of 25 pounds in 2004. My plan is to write down what I eat and track carbs/prot/fat for everything...it's worked this far. I have a weight goal in my mind, but what's more important is getting my eating under control.

2) By this time next year, I'd like to be running about 20 miles per week. That is the base from which I'd like to train to run the Chicago Marathon in 2006. I'm not committing to the marathon yet...not sure that I'll have the time to train for that. It would be fun because there are about 3-4 people from Hamburg who would come out to run it with me if I do it. But in 2005, it's up to 20 miles per week.

You might say, "Boy, Matt, those aren't very spiritual resolutions." But, oh, contrair...the way I care for my body has everything to do with being a good steward of what God has given me...health, calling, family, etc. If I die young (like my dad did), then I leave my kids too early and I don't accomplish what I believe God wants me to accomplish in this life. So caring for my body (not winning any contests or anything here, just getting healthier) is very much a spiritual thing.

3) I'd like to become a bit more kind. The Bible speaks of kindness as a fruit of God's spirit at work in me. I've made some progress, but I still yell at slow or dorky drivers more than I'd like Izak to see. I still refer to people as idiots or morons more than I should -- I think Jesus would take offense at me characterizing people he loves that way.

What are ways that I've grown this past year? You'll have to ask Heidi and Rick (my closest friend) to be sure, but here are ways I think I've grown...

1) I've made some progress on the shysical health issue.

2) Patience. If you have kids, you either learn to be more patient or you implode.

3) Kindness/Gentleness. I think I've become more gentle in the way I express myself. A bit less bellowing and flagrant language...a bit.

4) I've grown as a manager of the money God has given me. It's His money, I just get to use it. I think I'm growing. When it came time to buy a house in IL, Heidi and I opened ourselves up, sharing very specific numbers. I hate sharing money stuff with anyone...makes me feel very vulnerable. But it also was great to have people that love me so much that the numbers don't matter...and I trust that they have my best at heart.

2005 will be marked as a great and difficult year. It will be great because of the new adventures that lie ahead. I'm excited about leading the people of Northwest Christian Community to be effective in honoring God and loving people. I'm excited about the new friends we'll make -- and the ones we've already made. I'm excited about helping Izak grow and learn as a little boy. I'm excited about helping Liberty grow -- she'll probably begin walking and even talking a bit this year. I'm excited about continuing to grow as a husband, learning and loving Heidi.

It's also going to be a very difficult year because of the move from Hamburg. We've been away from our families since we were married -- we're used to that. But moving from our dear friends in Hamburg...that's going to be very sad for us...difficult to put words to. We've shared our lives so deeply...

I know that we'll continue to share life with these friends. We'll talk on the phone and meet for vacations. But the daily grind will be different without them nearby. Sure, they could move with us...but we're not that close;-) [Note: that's me being a smart ***]

In all these things, I know this for sure...God is faithful and He will only continue to reveal His incredible love for us as we respond in obedience and faith. And that...that's the best part about looking ahead to 2005!

Peace,

Matt

Mommy Rocks...

I don't know how Heidi does it every day...I've been on daddy duty for the past two days. Heidi's working at Roswell to stockpile as much mulla as possible for the most. So I took a vacation day and a holiday to be at home with the kids.

We've had a great time. Each day, we've had the chance to get out and run some errands...even just driving around.

Today, I set up our new phone account in IL. Our phone number will be 847.548.7791. Pretty cool, huh? We'll work on more utilities after the New Year.

I've also set up the movers. Unless something falls apart, Bekins wins. Stevens has a clergy moving department but they cost about a grand more...go figure. It's sort of a sad commentary that there are so many pastors that move so much that Stevens can have a whole department just for us. When I first called, and the lady was "selling" me on her company, she said, "I'm working with one pastor for the forth time...he really likes our service."

Pastors tend to move alot. I think there are many reason for that...

1) They become "professional" clergy...so they are more about jobs than community and relationships. They get fired for not measuring up and they leave when the church doesn't need their specific expertise any more.

2) They give up. When the church doesn't grow, they either get fired or they leave because the lack of growth is someone else's problem. Instead of growing as a leader and then trusting the results to God and His design for a church, they compare themselves to Bill Hybels (Willow Creek Church in IL) or other big church pastors.

3) They didn't interview the church well. Because they were under the gun to leave their last place, they just needed a job so took the church that invited them. So the community isn't a good "fit."

4) Some men and women are called to begin or transition churches in preparation for the future. God really does gift some people for short-term ministry in a church.

I worked hard through the interview process to hear God and to do whatever I could do to make sure that Northwest is the right fit. Just like marriage, you never really know until you share a bathroom and get the flu. But my commitment is not to Northwest's growth, it's to the community being built there...the people. We will grow together. We will have confict, but work through it. We will become more like Jesus together...because of each other.

I can't guarentee that the other elders at Northwest won't fire my butt...but I can promise to work hard, grow as a leader and person, and love well.

I hope it will be decades before I need to call a moving company again.

I'm off to spend some time with the best mother ever (no offense, Mom)! She's worked hard today and probably needs her feet rubbed.

Peace,
M@

Hunkering down...

I'm really struggling to keep focused this week. The holidays always makes that tough...and then the whole moving thing...

I'm preaching this weekend and need to finish the message today and tomorrow. I'm narrowing in on it, but, man, it's a challenge.

I'm working to bring home a passage from 2 Peter that speaks to our personal spiritual formation and growth. It's a great time of year to talk about that - the first weekend of the year, when all our New Years resolutions are still intact...mostly.

How do you want to grow this next year. Whether you're a Christ-follower or not, I'm sure there are some areas that you'd like to see change in the next 360+ days...what are they?

As a follower of Jesus, I have the plan laid out in front of me...to become more like Jesus. No, that doesn't mean walking around in bare feet and a robe -- though I've already got the beard part taken care of. It's not a matter of looking like Jesus -- or really even a matter of doing what Jesus would do. It's about getting rid of enough Matt so that the spirit of Jesus that is within me can show more...a transformation of my basic character.

What does that look like? Here are some character qualities that I think come with the deal...

- hope in a future beyond this life...it carries me above circumstances, no matter how trying they are.
- peace
- joy
- love...real love, not the kind that gets what I want in the end and even feels good...but true love that puts self aside and is self-less.
- gentleness...ding, ding, ding...I think we have a winner. I'm not the most gentle person in the world. I'm growing here, but look for more growth in the future.
- kindness...no comment. Getting there...
- humility...I'm perfect on this one...oh, crap...oh, well...
- self-control...why is that idiot driving so slowly...never mind. I guess this one should stay on my list for this year, too...

Think about it, if I really were to have these attributes come alive in me increasingly as I get older, you can't beat that! It's going to play out first in my family and then spread to my other relationships. You can't go wrong.

Sometimes Jesus appears to be weak. Don't mistake weak for meek. Jesus was the strongest man I've ever known. His strength was a strength of character. There were no weak spots in his soul. That's incredible! That's what I want.

As I look back, I'm encouraged. Not because I've become perfect. And it hasn't been all my own effort. God has been at work in my soul. I've been working with him by getting out of the way. The results...don't ask me...ask Heidi; if it doesn't make a difference at home, then it's not real.

Anyway...thost are some of the thoughts I'm having in preparation for my final weekend message in Hamburg.

Take a moment and pray for those whose lives have been turned upside down by the tsunami in Asia. Pray also for the millions whose lives are ravaged every year by the "tsunami" of AIDS throughout the world. Don't let the urgent take your eye off the on-going opportunities we have to love others.

Peace,

Matt

tsunami...

There aren't words for the devestation. Though caused by totally different things, it makes the loss of life on September 11, 2001 in the US look like an average day in any given city. This is all compounded by the fact that most of the nations hit hardest don't have the resources to care for the survivors well. And in a few days, we'll be hearing stories about desease caused by death, poor water filtration, and flooding.

In the past few days, about 40,000 people have passed into eternity. They were going about their business or sunning themselves with family on the beach. Then, without warning...they are face to face with the Creator. They, no doubt, thought they had time...they didn't.

I go about my day assuming that I have time...time to express my love to my family and friends...time to know Jesus better...time to teach my son and daughter about Him. I have time...maybe...

I suppose that is the gift of our move to Chicago...it forces the issue of time with those we love. Four weeks from today, I'll be loading up the moving truck and driving west to make a new home in a new town. I'll be sharing life with new people. But until then, I get to share life and love with those I'm closest to here. It's a gift.

I'm at the office today working on the message for this coming weekend. It will be my last weekend message in Hamburg. I can't believe that Saturday is 2005 Day One!

Time to hunker down and write...

Peace,

Matt

ps - join me in praying for God to reveal Himself to those who are devestated by the disaster in Asia. Pray for His peace to be known, for His protection from desease, and for cooperation among nations.

Another Christmas story...

If you're prone to being judgemental, please don't read on. If you're open to having a portion of your perceived Christmas story tampered with, then read on.

I'm coming out of the closet...I don't buy the whole Christmas story. Mary the virgin...yes. Joseph...yes. Bethlehem...yes. Star, wisemen, shepherds...yes. Inn...nope. That's right...I don't buy the whole Mary-pulling-into-town-dialated-to-10-but-can't-find-a-motel thing...here's why...

Luke 2:7 reads, "...and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Seems simple enough, right? One word changes the imagery..."inn."

The greek word used there is "kataluma," which is translated most often as "guest room" or "upper room." The word which, in other places, is most often translated as "inn" is "pedoikemos" (see the story of the good Samaritan in Luke 10).

We're going to take an imaginary tour of a typical Bethlehem home from the time when Jesus was born.

Most homes were only one room. You walked in the front door to find yourself stepping on straw. Immediately to your right, you notice a set of about three or four stairs leading up to the main room (and often only room) of the house. That floor slopes gradually up toward the back of the house -- enough so that it was easier to sweep downward toward the door but not so much that a person would roll away in their sleep. Against one of the outer walls of the main room, there would be a fireplace used for warmth at night and for cooking.

From the main entrance, if you go straight instead of heading up the few stairs into the big room, you would be sharing space with a couple of sheep and maybe a goat -- no big animals, but a few of the small ones. You see, these few animals were worth about a year's wages, so you don't want to keep them outside in the cold overnight...you bring them in. The floor of the main room is about head-high to these animals. And carved into the floor, right by the drop-off into the animal's area, are a few troughs, also called mangers. Do you know where I'm going yet?

If a person had a little extra money, they would often put on an addition to their one-room home. At the "upper" end of the house, they would add a room that was usually only about 10x10 or so...not very large, but a great place for guests or for the master of the home to sleep in...away from the animals. This added room was called a "kataluma."

Here's a Christ-birth scenario for you...

Joseph and Mary are called back to Joseph's hometown for the census. The reason it was Joseph's hometown is because it was the location of his tribe (or family line) -- he as Jewish and was part of one of the tribes of Judah of which there were twelve.

Before heading back to Joseph's hometown, they find out she's pregnant. Before Joseph and Mary had to face the family with the news that Mary was pregnant prior to the actual wedding, Joseph was going to "put her away" quietly so as to not disgrace her. If they were going somewhere where they would be anonymous, Joseph would have worried less about the name of his betrothed.

They probably didn't come screeming into town with Mary fully dialated and pushing. And if they did, Bethlehem was a small village, not a major city -- small villages didn't have inns...they couldn't economically sustain them.

Instead, they probably arrived in town, stayed in a guest room with family (maybe even extended family). Then it was time...the baby started knocking on the door.

Birthing was a community event, especially in a small village. That being the case, several women probably came to the house to be a part of the event with Mary.

Because of issues of ceremonial cleanliness, Joseph and the other men would have been out of the house (blood made a person unclean...especially a woman's blood...'nuf said). It's my hypothesis that the men from the village took Joseph out to the pub then a round of golf while awaiting the news of his child's arrival (I'm being a little far-fetched here, in case you missed that;-))

Everyone in the family knew that this birth was a big deal. Remember when Mary and Elizabeth (who were cousins) met...they were both pregnant (Liz with John the Baptist) and the baby in Liz's womb lept with excitement in the presence of Mary's baby (Jesus...just so we don't lose track of him). You know how families are...they don't keep quiet. If Elizabeth knew that Mary's baby was special, that word would have spread through that family like wildfire.

The day has come. The baby is born. The area is clean again and Mary and the baby can have visitors. The family pours in. Some shepherds from the surrounding hillside come...they said something about angels and a king and a baby. The crowd grew...it grew too big for the 10x10 guest room where Mary was holed up.

In order for others to see and witness the birth of her son, who was announced by angels and fortold by God himself, she took the baby into the larger main room of the house. She wrapped him up in some cloths to keep him warm. They stoked the fire. And since there was no pakc-n-play, Mary put the baby in the next best place...right there in a bed of fresh straw in the manger, right near the fire to stay warm.

Read Luke 2:7 again, "...and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the 'kataluma (guest room).'"

So how did we get the tradition of the inn-keeper et al? King James of England had the Bible translated in 1610 into english. Where were the mangers in England in 1610? Out back in the stable. There is no mention in scripture of a stable...only a manger. hmmm...

Whether you buy this or not, it doesn't change the nature of Christ's birth -- he was born to a virgin named Mary. He was born in Bethlehem. And he was born as the King of Kings who would give his life as a ransom for the world. He was all God and all man.

This changes the Christma pageant a little, though. No more fun little songs about a greedy inn-keeper who wants just a little more money. No stories about the Son of God being born homeless.

Instead, we have a picture of the God-King being born within the context of community -- people who cared for his parents and him. Oh, don't worry, there will be plenty of rejection for him as he gets older. But for now...look at the baby. See the people who love him sitting there, talking, laughing, inviting others to come take a look. Could he be the one? The one we've been waiting and praying for since King David? Could he be the...?

****************************
I want to thank Dr. Bud Bence, at Indiana Wesleyan University, for being a rabble-rouser enough to share this story with his students.

To me, it makes sense. The pieces fit together. If you don't buy it, that's fine. I probably won't do any Christmas messages about the inn-keeper or the stable. But I also won't stand up in the middle of the kid's program to denouce the authors as heretical, either!

For what it's worth...

Whether in the stable or the living room, enjoy the presence of the Christ-child today. His birth changed the world. His death changed my life. And his resurrection changed our future.

Peace,

Matt

Christmas memories...

There's something about having kids that makes Christmas a bit more special for me. I've always loved the holiday and what it stands for, but it hasn't carried the same sense of treasure that it has while growing up. In years past, trees and decorating was optional -- we usually had at least a few decorations up, but because of traveling or schedules didn't put much into it some years.

This year, it's more important to begin to establish Christmas memories for our kids. Izak is almost old enough to "get it" when it comes to the fun of Christmas. By next year, he'll be full swing and Libby won't be far behind.

Here are some of the things I remember about Christmas as a kid...

- Christmas Eve candlelight service at church. I couldn't tell you much about the specifics, but I do remember when I got old enough to hold my own little torch!
- Waking up early and trying to get the rest of the family up, too. I usually had a little help from the cat, who "accidentally" walked up and own the keyboard of the piano...at 6am...hmmm...
- my train set. It was the first Christmas after my father died. Mom said that he had it picked out prior to his passing, but I think she probably had more to do with it than she let on. It was a special gift. I loved playing with the train...watching it go around and around... Though it's in boxes, I still have it in the basement. Someday, I'll pull it out and Izak, Libby, and I will have fun watching it go around the track.
- The stockings. The Christmas tv specials (Frosty The Snowman, Rudolph, Peanuts...). Eating a special breakfast on Christmas morning -- AFTER opening presents.

There was just something special about Christmastime. The air was different. It was all just good.

I suspect that part of what made it great was my inattention to the crap going on in the world. I didn't know that Nixon resigned or that gas prices were through the roof and people had to wait in lines. I didn't know that Vietnam vets were still recovering from just coming home or that people hated each other because of their race. I didn't realize that the USSR wanted to destroy the United States and visa versa. I didn't know about families living on the streets, daddies without jobs, or mommies that found a new family.

I just didn't know about this stuff...and it was a gift to me...the gift of innocence.

That's the beauty of kids. Izak doesn't know that the US is hip-deep in a war in the middle east. He doesn't care about red states or blue states. He doesn't know that daddy and mommy are about to move away from their closest friends and that it breaks their hearts. He doesn't know about...much of anything.

But he does know that his mommy and daddy love him. He knows that somehow, in the big picture of life, bubbles and balloons are important. He knows he's not supposed to open the tray to the cd player, but that he can change the disk to his favorite songs. He knows that he loves to jump on the bed when daddy holds his hands.

There it is...it's coming again...the wonder of Christmastime with a child. How ironic...the beauty of Christmas is all about the power of a child to offer a different view of the world. And in the lives of children all over, it happens again and again. What a gift!

Have a great Christmas! Make some new memories with people you love.

Wishing you peace and joy on earth,

Matt

Good-bye Catalyst...

Last night was my last supper with the Catalyst Leadership Team. About a year ago, God was stirring within me on a number of fronts. Part of the response to that stirring was joining up with this worshipping community of young adults, Catalyst. I would be able to contribute to their mission and they would provide a context for me to grow as a leader -- sort of like a church within a church.

It's been a great, if not short, ride with them. Todd, Mary, Laura, and Kristen make up a great team giving leadership (both strategic and spiritual). I will miss working with them and being a part of their continued growth as leaders among their peers.

Last night was a great time of enjoying each other's company (except for Mary who was home chucking like a...a...not sure how to best complete the analogy, but it's probably not necessary. She was missed. We ate (too much), laughed (just about enough), shared what God's been up to this past year (maybe too much question for the evening), and closed a chapter that has been important for all of us. Without my involvement with Catalyst, I would not be as ready as I am for the next step on my journey.

Thank you, friends, for joining me on this journey.

Godspeed,

Matt

weekend wrap-up...

It was a good but fast weekend. Heidi wasn't feeling well so she called in sick on Saturday. It was nice having her around...wish she was feeling better, but good to have her here, nonetheless.

Had a nice visit with Kat and Dave. I couldn't help think thing like, "once we are in the new house, these visits will be even nicer." We bought a house so that we could have family and friends in from out of town...compared with what we have, it's going to be great!

I'm at home with the kids today. Heidi's at Roswell, helping people who are living with cancer. She's a hero to so many...I couldn't be more proud of her.

Libby's fighting her morning nap. Izak's playing nicely with his magnet book. What great kids I have.

Izak is passionate about balloons these days. Yesterday was a big standoff at Ainsley's 2nd birthday party. He thought it was his job to herd all the balloons...and he didnt' take too kindly to strays! When it was time to leave, I only let him take one balloon, even though the whole bunch was offered. In my opinion, he doesn't need to hog them all. So we took only one...with much wailing and nashing of teeth. But by the time we got home, he was excited about his one balloon.

The shaping of a child's heart is a challenging thing. They don't just learn sharing and kindness on their own...they need to be taught it. I don't want to be harsh on him...he's a tender soul. But I also want him to learn to share and play nice with other kids...even when he gets locked onto an idea like herding balloons. He's a good boy and I love him like crazy!!

When Heidi gets home, we'll probably decorate the Christmas tree. We got a short little thing this past weekend -- it sits on top of the coffee table...funny!

Off and running,

M@

Dave and Kat...

Heidi's sister and brother-in-law are in town this weekend. Dave and Kat live in Pittsburgh, which is only about 3 hours away from us. One of the things we've enjoyed about living in Buffalo is being able to connect with them from time to time. It was certainly easier without kids, but they are great about making time to come up and visit the kids. They don't have kids of their own, but do a good job of loving on Izak and Liberty.

We got a Christmas tree today. It's little and sits on one of our corner coffee tables -- which is perfect because it will help keep it out of reach of little 2-year-old fingers, if you know what I mean.

Even though our lives reflect no order whatsoever, we're trying to make this a special Christmas time as a family. Thus the tree. We've even got a few presents to exchange on Christmas morning. And we're avoiding packing too much prior to New Year's day...boxes just don't do much for the celebration of Christmas.

I just connected with a young lady that I used to babysit back in Michigan. Bethany K. is doing ministry with young adults in eastern Europe. Her mom and dad were close friends with my folks and our families have always been good friends. Shout out to Bethany in Croatia!!

That also makes me feel a little old...I remember when she was born! Holy cow! I also remember being a terrible baby sitter...sorry Bethany and Chris. Especially when I think about the great sitters that we've had for our kids...I stunk! No creativity, whatsoever...let the past go, Furr...

That's what I've got for today.

Peace,

M@

5 weeks...

Five weeks from now, I'll be heading into my final weekend on staff at The Wesleyan Church of Hamburg. No doubt this time will afford me the opportunity for many reflections on my time here and the relationships I have.

Last night, I gave my last talk at Catalyst, the worship gathering for young adults. It as a special moment as they all gathered around me to pray for God's hand in my next ministry context. I will miss being a part of God's work in their lives.

I will miss being in ministry partnership with Laura. She's the real driver behind Catalyst. Her passion is for young adults to know and follow Jesus. She's got so many great thoughts about ministry, community, and integrating faith into life. She has also been a great friend to my family...continually there to help with the kids, hang out on a quiet evening, or just stopping by to see if Heidi needs anything from the store. You're going to be missed huge, my friend.

It's important to me to finish well. I'm in the process of sorting out what that means from my perspective and trying to get Greg's perspective, as well. Here are some bullet-point thoughts about what finishing well means...

- honoring those who have invested in me for the past 6 years. Greg and others have offered me great opportunities to grow and learn. Honoring that/them means expressing the power of their investment.
- valuing relationships. I have had the opportunity to love and be loved by many. Though I will not be able to spend solid time with everyone, that value needs to be communicated.
- wrapping up minsitry responsibilities means putting things into the hands of good leaders and then supporting them as the move forward. This is easy in that I've been nurturing relationship with these leaders already, so they are all ready to step up in big ways. It's a challenge for me in that I am no longer driving these things, but essentially sitting back and coaching. This is an important step in the process, but I'm not used to not being a driver. I guess there are still good lessons to learn...
- preparation for the next venture. My mind is already going to Northwest naturally. I discipline myself to stay in Hamburg, but it is going to get more and more challenging, I'm sure. But that's what's supposed to happen. I have vision to develop and begin to articulate. I have message series that need to be in place upon arrival...and I'd like to have a few of the message actually written and ready to go.
- receive the blessing of others. So many people have already written to tell me the impact that I have had on their lives. What a gift to hear that from people...and they are being specific, more than the general "it's been good to know you." It's humbling to look back and know that people are on a different trajectory for eternity because of the influence that God had through Heidi and me. Not only are they ready to meet Jesus someday, they are experiencing life and peace and joy in this life already. That's what I was made for!

Peace,

M@

brain dead...

That's how I'm feeling these days...a little bit wiped out. The transition is taking place on so many levels...house, job, friendships, towns, regions, and heart. It's strange how the heart moves...all part of the confirmation.

I could not be more certain that this move is of God. He has guided this process from the very beginning. My second look at the job posting and then sending my resume. The interviews and personal connections. The shared vision. Selling our Buffalo house without even putting a sign in the yard (in December, no less -- that just doesn't happen). Finding a house in one weekend...and getting the pool table! It's just all so evident that God is at work here.

My heart is even already beginning to move. When I think about vision and strategy, I do so with Northwest in mind, not Hamburg. That's strange for me.

I'm doing my best to be present here, but things are wrapping up. For all intents and purposes, I have only two more teachings -- tonight and the weekend of January 1/2. Other than that, I'm here as a sort of consultant for whatever needs to be done. People are in place to cover bases after I leave -- very solid people who will be great leaders (they were great leaders who worked with me and are now stepping up even more). It's all just going so smoothly.

Six weeks from today, I'll be with my father-in-law unloading some stuff from Michigan into my new house. Incredible...

Peace,

M@

two things...

There were two goals that I had for this past weekend...

1) A great time making memories with my closest friend, Rick. Mission accomplished. We have enough glance-at-each-other-and-wet-yourself-laughing moments to last us well into the second decade of this century.

2) Find a home for my family. Mission accomplished. We left Chicago (late because of the wind...irony is fun) with about 6 homes that would fit the bill. I placed an offer on number one...today I heard from the real estate agent.

I bought a pool table...and the nice people threw in a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home in Lake Villa, IL. New address is: Matt and Heidi Furr, 2181 N. Heartland Path, Lake Villa, IL 60046.

It's going to be a great home for my family.

So...I guess we're moving to Illinois...cool.

NCIS is on...I'll share more later.

Peace,

M@

new home?

Well, it was an intense weekend. I looked at about 30-32 homes on Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon with 6 double visits. I'm whiped out today...and I think I drove my friend Rick into the ground...but I fed him well!

I should be able to wrap up negotiations on the home by lunch today. I'll keep you posted.

Time for a meeting...

M@

the moment...

This afternoon, I spent some time at home with the kids while Heidi was getting her teeth filled (cracks in the teeth complements of our newfy...thanks, Sailor). Izak was sitting at his little desk coloring something wonderful that only he knew. He was so absorbed in his work that he didn't even notice that Mom walked in...holding a big blue balloon...

"Izak, Mommy's home...and look what she brought you!"

You could see the information bouncing around in space while before it struck him that Mommy, indeed, was home. He glanced up...and in one 1/2 second moment, he stood up, inhaled with excitement, and his face just beemed as if all hope was revealed in the image he saw before him...Mommy with a balloon...in his own house...could it be?

I can't really capture the moment. I would give my left arm for a picture. His face and countenence captured everything pure, hopeful, and joyful that is possible in the world...all wrapped up in a moment in the life of a little boy. It was just a fraction of a second. But it was my gift to see it. It made my day.

I did a message tonight about expectation as it relates to Jesus' return to this world. I couldn't help but make the connection from what I witnessed in my son and what will happen in that moment...the moment when we all realize that what he said would happen...happens. The Bible says it will be like a twinkle of light...1/2 second...one moment...that will never end. Eternity will be captured in that moment. There will be no let-down of reality. No "is that it?" No more death. No more weeping. No more loneliness. No more failure. Only the moment...forever.

I don't think I can fully understand what it will be like to live in the presence of Jesus forever. He won't be a little baby or even a meek man of power. He will be revealed as the king and ruler of all that is...fully in his power and majesty. I can't quite wrap my imagination around that moment.

But thanks to my son and his love of his mother and balloons...I caught a glimpse of it...if even for just a moment.

Coming together...

One of the things that has made me pretty anxious lately has to do with the housing situation -- selling ours in Buffalo and buying the right one in Chicago. I know that I'm not supposed to be anxious...and usually I'm not. But I don't want to goof this one up, you know?

But God's it under control. Our house is under contract now. A great young couple is buying it from us -- similar situation that we were in 5 years ago. We didn't even have to put a sign in our yard. God provides.

There was another financial thing (won't go into details) that needs to be cared for prior to getting a new mortage. Just this weekend...it's taken care of. God provides.

Next weekend, I'm going to Chicago to look for a home. There are several that I know already would work well for us and are still available. The bottom line is that our home is out there. It needs to be a modest home that will allow us to entertain locally, but also have people from out of town stay with us. God will provide.

It's all coming together. No worries, Matt.

Peace,

M@

fast and furious...

Like is full these days. Here's the no-huddle 2-minute drill...

- People are being very kind in the transition. So many have offered heartfelt reflections on the impact God has had through me in their lives. What a gift.
- Heidi's holding down the fort at home these days and doing a great job of it. I feel like I've been a little absent this week. Need to step up a notch of intentionality there...
- Met with a guy yesterday whose life was rocked this past summer. His wife of 1 month left him, his eyesight deteriorated toward legal blindness, he lost is job as a paramedic because of they eyesight thing. He shared his story and then said, "if God can use this story, let it be told." He loves Jesus and is finding peace and joy amidst this incredible storm. Very inspiring.
- I'm spending time looking online for a house. I'm trying to be very thorough because it's a huge amount of money and a big deal for my family. I know the right one is out there and that God will help us find it...I'm probably obsessing a bit...time to chill, Furr...I'll be going to chicago next weekend to house-hunt with a close friend, Rick. I'm sure it's out there...
- Working on transition at work. Who will step into what role? Who's the point-person? There are some great men and women who are stepping up huge! In some ways, God will do more in my leaving than if I were to stay around. Almost makes you think that He's in on this deal...hmmm...
- Looks like the house is sold. Didn't even have to put a sign in the yard. Now, I know...it's never done until the final papers are signed, but this young couple is excited and are meeting with the mortgage person today...her dad is a banker who ran initial numbers and thinks it all looks good. What a huge blessing to have a rockin' young couple who lives Jesus live in our home...they will connect well with the neighbors...

that's he news from Hamburg. Back to work.

Peace,

M@