It's been a good day. Worship went well this morning. The celebration of Christ's resurrection is a big deal...it's the high point of faith for Christ-followers. It's also a day when many "fringe" people check in at church (Christmas and Easter). For that reason, services seem to have more people in them on Easter. Such was the case at Northwest today. The room was pretty full, which provided a certain energy.
After worship, I headed home in time to catch a little golf on tv. Yeah, I'm a golf geek...I like watching it.
After everyone went down for naps, I took advantage of the quiet and painted the basement. The carpet comes on Wednesday, so I'm trying to get it all painted so I don't have to worry about taping and protecting the new threads. Once that carpet's down, then the basement becomes a viable play area for the kids and hang-out for anyone else. I'm excited about that!
After everyone woke up, it was time to head to the Parido house for round two of their Easter bash...including Easter egg hunts for the kids and basketball for the adults (who were interested). The extra fun was that MSU played UK...I'm a MSU fan while Kevin, the guy I work with, is a huge UK fan. The trash-talk was going fast and furious for the past couple days. I'm learning to be a good winner, since MSU won in double-overtime!! Even my son was saying, "Go State!" in his carseat on the way home...brought a tear to my eye...
Now it's all quiet. I'm watching the fire die down in the living room. I've been thinking quite a bit today of the Teri Shiavo case. I can't imagine watching one of my children die when it could be prevented...I just can't imagine what they are experiencing. It's sad on so many levels.
Heidi articulated my thoughts for me so well. You can check out her blog at the right...I won't beat that drum any more...for today.
That's the news from Lake Vill, IL.
Peace,
Matt
Sunday, March 27, 2005
HE IS RISEN!!!
Joining with billions around the world, today marks the celebration of Christ's resurrection from the dead. It's incredible if you think about it...he was dead as dead. Now, he is alive!
He is risen, indeed!
He is risen, indeed!
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
handyman upgrade...
I've decided to up my rating as a handyman...from "idiot" to "sub-par". Okay, so I'm still not too impressive, but I'm proud of my recent accomplishment. I told you about Jon helping me (actually, me helping Jon) with my stairs. He taught me a lot. So I felt a little twinge of construction confidence (which usually leads to an expensive run at Home Depot and having to start over a few times). While Heidi and the kids were taking a nap on Monday, I build a wall in the basement. Yup...built a wall. It's only a knee wall covering the last 5 feet of stairs heading into the basement...but I did it. And I did it by myself.
When Heidi woke up, the wall, including drywall, was in place and not wobbling at all. I didn't want to blog about it too soon -- you know what they say about the pride and fall thing. But for the past several days, it's stayed up! I think it's going to work.
I've been taping and mudding the seams. It's not perfect, but hey, you can't beat the price of cheap labor these days. All told, I probably saved up 57 cents...maybe a bit more...but it was fun to do it myself and claim with pride, "I did that" everytime friends come over to play pool in the basement.
Next Wednesday the new carpet will go in. Until then, I will work tirelessly to finish mudding and wet-sanding, priming, and then painting the whole thing. If I get to painting before the carpet comes, then I don't have to tape anything off...just grab the roller and go to town! That's my kind of paint job!
On a different note...I'm excited about this weekend. Though this will not be my first Easter as a lead pastor, it will be the first Easter at which I anticipate people showing up who aren't related to me or close friends (that was a brief memory to the pre-mature "launch" of New England Christian Community, the church I was a part of launching in Ipswich, MA...about 7 years ago).
Shaun, the Ministry Intern at Northwest, is working hard to shape the Good Friday service. It's going to have a wonderfully reflective tone...acoustic music, reflective atmosphere, etc. I'm excited to be a part of it.
Then on Sunday, it's the greatest celebration in the church calendar. Without Easter, the resurrection of Christ, then the rest of our faith is pointless. Without the hope of eternal transformation and new life, then I'm wasting my time. And so, on Sunday, we party!
Tomorrow afternoon Heidi will be picking Rachel P. up at O'Hare. Rache was our first official babysitter (she even included a copy of our first check to her in a "creative memories" page) for Izak. She loves him. And when Libby came along, Rache loved her, too.
We were having dinner on Sunday at her house; her parents wanted us to meet another couple they knew well. During the conversation, it came up that we didn't have any sitters for Izak, and I was getting a little stir-crazy. I jumped and asked Rachel if she sat. A little for her cousins. Interview over...the husband in me (the one eager to go on a date with his wife-turned-mother) hired her and arranged for her to be picked up on Friday evening. That was easy...
It wasn't until we were in the car that it dawned on me that I probably should have consulted with my wife before making that decision. I offered to cancel, but Heidi decided to go with it, even though it made her uncomfortable. WARNING TO DADS: Don't make that mistake. For us, it worked out great! Rache is an incredible sitter and a good friend. But I don't think it will work out that well every time. Always talk with your wife before making plans for a newby sitter to take care of your first child...nuf said.
God's given us a special relationship with Rachel. She's cared well for our family and we've had the opportunity to love her well, too. I thought it was a little strange for a teenager to want to spend most of her Spring Break with us...not to mention that she turns 16 on Sunday! But then I remembered how much I loved the Ritsema family. I used to hang out there a lot as a teen. My big rebellion was staying over at their house too late talking about faith stuff...ooohhh. That gave me a lot. Could it be that God is using Heidi (and me a little bit, but mostly Heidi) to walk with Rache at this important time in her life. Could the Furrs be her Ritsemas? What a powerful and humbling thoughts. Or maybe she just likes Chicago...
She'll be here a week. Should be a great time connecting again.
Well, this has beena long blog. Much happening, not enough time to blog more regulalry. If you've dialed in this long, get a life (except you, Mom...)...just kidding. Thanks for letting me share this with you.
Peace,
Matt
When Heidi woke up, the wall, including drywall, was in place and not wobbling at all. I didn't want to blog about it too soon -- you know what they say about the pride and fall thing. But for the past several days, it's stayed up! I think it's going to work.
I've been taping and mudding the seams. It's not perfect, but hey, you can't beat the price of cheap labor these days. All told, I probably saved up 57 cents...maybe a bit more...but it was fun to do it myself and claim with pride, "I did that" everytime friends come over to play pool in the basement.
Next Wednesday the new carpet will go in. Until then, I will work tirelessly to finish mudding and wet-sanding, priming, and then painting the whole thing. If I get to painting before the carpet comes, then I don't have to tape anything off...just grab the roller and go to town! That's my kind of paint job!
On a different note...I'm excited about this weekend. Though this will not be my first Easter as a lead pastor, it will be the first Easter at which I anticipate people showing up who aren't related to me or close friends (that was a brief memory to the pre-mature "launch" of New England Christian Community, the church I was a part of launching in Ipswich, MA...about 7 years ago).
Shaun, the Ministry Intern at Northwest, is working hard to shape the Good Friday service. It's going to have a wonderfully reflective tone...acoustic music, reflective atmosphere, etc. I'm excited to be a part of it.
Then on Sunday, it's the greatest celebration in the church calendar. Without Easter, the resurrection of Christ, then the rest of our faith is pointless. Without the hope of eternal transformation and new life, then I'm wasting my time. And so, on Sunday, we party!
Tomorrow afternoon Heidi will be picking Rachel P. up at O'Hare. Rache was our first official babysitter (she even included a copy of our first check to her in a "creative memories" page) for Izak. She loves him. And when Libby came along, Rache loved her, too.
We were having dinner on Sunday at her house; her parents wanted us to meet another couple they knew well. During the conversation, it came up that we didn't have any sitters for Izak, and I was getting a little stir-crazy. I jumped and asked Rachel if she sat. A little for her cousins. Interview over...the husband in me (the one eager to go on a date with his wife-turned-mother) hired her and arranged for her to be picked up on Friday evening. That was easy...
It wasn't until we were in the car that it dawned on me that I probably should have consulted with my wife before making that decision. I offered to cancel, but Heidi decided to go with it, even though it made her uncomfortable. WARNING TO DADS: Don't make that mistake. For us, it worked out great! Rache is an incredible sitter and a good friend. But I don't think it will work out that well every time. Always talk with your wife before making plans for a newby sitter to take care of your first child...nuf said.
God's given us a special relationship with Rachel. She's cared well for our family and we've had the opportunity to love her well, too. I thought it was a little strange for a teenager to want to spend most of her Spring Break with us...not to mention that she turns 16 on Sunday! But then I remembered how much I loved the Ritsema family. I used to hang out there a lot as a teen. My big rebellion was staying over at their house too late talking about faith stuff...ooohhh. That gave me a lot. Could it be that God is using Heidi (and me a little bit, but mostly Heidi) to walk with Rache at this important time in her life. Could the Furrs be her Ritsemas? What a powerful and humbling thoughts. Or maybe she just likes Chicago...
She'll be here a week. Should be a great time connecting again.
Well, this has beena long blog. Much happening, not enough time to blog more regulalry. If you've dialed in this long, get a life (except you, Mom...)...just kidding. Thanks for letting me share this with you.
Peace,
Matt
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Daddy Saturday...
Heidi's off running some errands. I get to have some time to myself during the week when I go to work...it's not exactly rest, but it's some time that I control...sort of. She never gets that time. Her job is her home...so even running errands is like a little break. Thanks, Babe, for all you do to keep our home running so well. It's a gift to me.
Today, Jon is coming over to help me do some work in the basement. The stairs need to be redone so they can be carpeted when the rest of the basement is done. I'm not very handy, so will be learning from Jon, who is great with sort of stuff. I'm excited about it.
And the learning will trickle down...Izak loves this stuff, too. Just this morning, as I was doing a few things to prepare for Jon's work, Izak had to be right by my side. I loves to carry around his tape measure (yes, he has to have his own) and his hammer. As I pounded nails out of the treds, he did, too. And when I stopped to snick back my runny nose, he'd stop and do the same thing. Those are pretty incredible daddy moments. If it was just about getting the job done, it would be frustrating. But it's not. The job needs to be done, but if I get some time with my boy in the process, it's okay for the work to take longer. If I can estblish a patter of my son following my lead, then we're charting a good course for the future.
It's been a good week in IL. I'm enjoying watching my brackets in the tournament. So for, I'm not doing too badly. Believe it or not, I actually picked Vermont and Bucknell! I did so because I'm stupid and don't know better, but hey...
In looking at my bracket picks, I've found evidence of incredible optimism. I've picked way more upsets than I should have...so much that if they happened, it would be a record year. Oh, well. I've still gotten 23 of the first 32 game right. Not bad for my first year ever doing a bracket for the tourney.
I guess that it's for now. A buddy of mine said these blogs are supposed to be brief, not simply a daily recount of life, and should not be posted very day. I guess he knows what he's talking about since he's an admissions rep. at a university...I think they know everything, don't they? Props JMak!
Peace,
Matt
Today, Jon is coming over to help me do some work in the basement. The stairs need to be redone so they can be carpeted when the rest of the basement is done. I'm not very handy, so will be learning from Jon, who is great with sort of stuff. I'm excited about it.
And the learning will trickle down...Izak loves this stuff, too. Just this morning, as I was doing a few things to prepare for Jon's work, Izak had to be right by my side. I loves to carry around his tape measure (yes, he has to have his own) and his hammer. As I pounded nails out of the treds, he did, too. And when I stopped to snick back my runny nose, he'd stop and do the same thing. Those are pretty incredible daddy moments. If it was just about getting the job done, it would be frustrating. But it's not. The job needs to be done, but if I get some time with my boy in the process, it's okay for the work to take longer. If I can estblish a patter of my son following my lead, then we're charting a good course for the future.
It's been a good week in IL. I'm enjoying watching my brackets in the tournament. So for, I'm not doing too badly. Believe it or not, I actually picked Vermont and Bucknell! I did so because I'm stupid and don't know better, but hey...
In looking at my bracket picks, I've found evidence of incredible optimism. I've picked way more upsets than I should have...so much that if they happened, it would be a record year. Oh, well. I've still gotten 23 of the first 32 game right. Not bad for my first year ever doing a bracket for the tourney.
I guess that it's for now. A buddy of mine said these blogs are supposed to be brief, not simply a daily recount of life, and should not be posted very day. I guess he knows what he's talking about since he's an admissions rep. at a university...I think they know everything, don't they? Props JMak!
Peace,
Matt
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Song of the Harlet
Just finished the worship gathering at Northwest. I'd say that every conversation I lead has first filtered through my life, but some more than others. Today's conversation was based on the story in Luke 7.36-50 -- the story of a town whore being overwhelmed in her love for Jesus. Years ago, Heidi came across a song that is based on that story. Here it is...
The Song of the Harlet
In the night
the harlet moves across the floor
she turns the hande on the door
one hundred eyes
seem to look right through her
why she's there? They're not sure
behind her love she falls down to her knees
without a word
she begins to weep and her tears, they fall down up on his feet
and she smother them with kisses
she dries them with her hair
in my life sorry has kissed my lonely heart
fear of man tears me apart
and I've tried but many times I've loved the world
many time sI've been the whore
I've cried amillion tears
maybe more
so many times
I have been the whore
I will fall down
on my knees
I will sing "I love, my Love"
I will weep
"I live, my Love"
I will sing
because I love my love
and my tears will fall
down upon your feet
let me smother them
with kisses
let me dry them
with my hair
if I could be anyone at all
if I could be
anyone at all
let me be
the whore at Jesus' feet.
So often, I've corrupted the power of God's love by putting him into catagories that I can (so I think) control and understand. Jesus didn't invite us into a deeper knowledge of systematic thoelogy (which has a place, to be sure), but into a love story that he is writing.
Do you ever struggle with the tension between a systematic understanding of God/Jesus/Holy Spirit and a passionate, intimate love for him? Is it okay to live in that tension? What does it look like?
Peace on the journey,
Matt
The Song of the Harlet
In the night
the harlet moves across the floor
she turns the hande on the door
one hundred eyes
seem to look right through her
why she's there? They're not sure
behind her love she falls down to her knees
without a word
she begins to weep and her tears, they fall down up on his feet
and she smother them with kisses
she dries them with her hair
in my life sorry has kissed my lonely heart
fear of man tears me apart
and I've tried but many times I've loved the world
many time sI've been the whore
I've cried amillion tears
maybe more
so many times
I have been the whore
I will fall down
on my knees
I will sing "I love, my Love"
I will weep
"I live, my Love"
I will sing
because I love my love
and my tears will fall
down upon your feet
let me smother them
with kisses
let me dry them
with my hair
if I could be anyone at all
if I could be
anyone at all
let me be
the whore at Jesus' feet.
So often, I've corrupted the power of God's love by putting him into catagories that I can (so I think) control and understand. Jesus didn't invite us into a deeper knowledge of systematic thoelogy (which has a place, to be sure), but into a love story that he is writing.
Do you ever struggle with the tension between a systematic understanding of God/Jesus/Holy Spirit and a passionate, intimate love for him? Is it okay to live in that tension? What does it look like?
Peace on the journey,
Matt
Song of the Harlet
Just finished the worship gathering at Northwest. I'd say that every conversation I lead has first filtered through my life, but some more than others. Today's conversation was based on the story in Luke 7.36-50 -- the story of a town whore being overwhelmed in her love for Jesus. Years ago, Heidi came across a song that is based on that story. Here it is...
The Song of the Harlet
In the night
the harlet moves across the floor
she turns the hande on the door
one hundred eyes
seem to look right through her
why she's there? They're not sure
behind her love she falls down to her knees
without a word
she begins to weep and her tears, they fall down up on his feet
and she smother them with kisses
she dries them with her hair
in my life sorry has kissed my lonely heart
fear of man tears me apart
and I've tried but many times I've loved the world
many time sI've been the whore
I've cried amillion tears
maybe more
so many times
I have been the whore
I will fall down
on my knees
I will sing "I love, my Love"
I will weep
"I live, my Love"
I will sing
because I love my love
and my tears will fall
down upon your feet
let me smother them
with kisses
let me dry them
with my hair
if I could be anyone at all
if I could be
anyone at all
let me be
the whore at Jesus' feet.
So often, I've corrupted the power of God's love by putting him into catagories that I can (so I think) control and understand. Jesus didn't invite us into a deeper knowledge of systematic thoelogy (which has a place, to be sure), but into a love story that he is writing.
Do you ever struggle with the tension between a systematic understanding of God/Jesus/Holy Spirit and a passionate, intimate love for him? Is it okay to live in that tension? What does it look like?
Peace on the journey,
Matt
The Song of the Harlet
In the night
the harlet moves across the floor
she turns the hande on the door
one hundred eyes
seem to look right through her
why she's there? They're not sure
behind her love she falls down to her knees
without a word
she begins to weep and her tears, they fall down up on his feet
and she smother them with kisses
she dries them with her hair
in my life sorry has kissed my lonely heart
fear of man tears me apart
and I've tried but many times I've loved the world
many time sI've been the whore
I've cried amillion tears
maybe more
so many times
I have been the whore
I will fall down
on my knees
I will sing "I love, my Love"
I will weep
"I live, my Love"
I will sing
because I love my love
and my tears will fall
down upon your feet
let me smother them
with kisses
let me dry them
with my hair
if I could be anyone at all
if I could be
anyone at all
let me be
the whore at Jesus' feet.
So often, I've corrupted the power of God's love by putting him into catagories that I can (so I think) control and understand. Jesus didn't invite us into a deeper knowledge of systematic thoelogy (which has a place, to be sure), but into a love story that he is writing.
Do you ever struggle with the tension between a systematic understanding of God/Jesus/Holy Spirit and a passionate, intimate love for him? Is it okay to live in that tension? What does it look like?
Peace on the journey,
Matt
Saturday, March 12, 2005
did it!
I'm not a very mechanical person, so when I do something that works, I get pretty excited about it. And when my wife appreciates it...it doesn't get better than that!
I got the new microwave installed today. Staring at it in the garage for the better part of this week, I debated whether or not I should just return it and buy one that sits on the counter. Sure, we don't have the room, but it would be so much easier.
But Saturday arrived...and I needed to hang this dang thing above the stove. I began with the encouragement of my wife: "you won't get any sympathy from me if you don't follow the directions step by step." Sure, take all the fun out of it...she doesn't understand the code of manhood...no directions!
So I followed the directions...in case something went wrong, I at least wanted her sympathy.
Step by step...I taped the templates, drilled the holes, sank the screws. With Heidi's help, we got the unit hooked and then place correctly. With a final few twists of the screws...done. I win! I won't tell you about the screw that stripped -- darn things are made out of tin foil these days...another code of manhood is to cover your tracks by blaming faulty equipment.
With that job done and the boy in bed for a nap, I'm at the office putting the final touches on the conversation for tomorrow.
Gobes comes for a visit tomorrow...yeah!!
Peace,
Matt
I got the new microwave installed today. Staring at it in the garage for the better part of this week, I debated whether or not I should just return it and buy one that sits on the counter. Sure, we don't have the room, but it would be so much easier.
But Saturday arrived...and I needed to hang this dang thing above the stove. I began with the encouragement of my wife: "you won't get any sympathy from me if you don't follow the directions step by step." Sure, take all the fun out of it...she doesn't understand the code of manhood...no directions!
So I followed the directions...in case something went wrong, I at least wanted her sympathy.
Step by step...I taped the templates, drilled the holes, sank the screws. With Heidi's help, we got the unit hooked and then place correctly. With a final few twists of the screws...done. I win! I won't tell you about the screw that stripped -- darn things are made out of tin foil these days...another code of manhood is to cover your tracks by blaming faulty equipment.
With that job done and the boy in bed for a nap, I'm at the office putting the final touches on the conversation for tomorrow.
Gobes comes for a visit tomorrow...yeah!!
Peace,
Matt
Thursday, March 10, 2005
where did the week go?
Has anyone seen my week. I know I left it here somewhere...last I knew, it was Monday afternoon...now I'm stairing Friday in the eyes. It's incredible how quickly time goes by these days.
I spent last night fighting with the microwave. I wish I could say that I victoriously installed the new one above the stove. All the fighting was only to get the old one off the wall. I called several people who might be able to give me clues, but to no avail. Until my mother-in-law called back, that is. She was reading some instructions that she found for her own microwave and began reading through them. Nothing was new until..."pull the release lever.." What? A lever? Let me try this...whamo!! Thanks, Ma!
After that, it was time for West Wing so I gave up for the evening. Tonight...nope...not tonight. I'm working on my message (at least I will be in a few minutes) and then to bed.
Heidi continues to feel terrible. She's a strong woman, though and manages during the day pretty well. She's crashed on the couch right now. They're so peaceful when they're asleep...
I finally got to do some reading this week. It's ironic...in Hamburg, when I preached only once-in-awhile, I got to read more than a book a week. Now, in a situation where I need to read a lont to stay on top of preparation for speaking, I don't get the time to do it. Hmmm...
But this week, I made the time. Just like Lance Armstrong needs to discipline himself to be the best in his craft, I need to force myself to do what it takes to be the best at mine. It was great! I holed up at Panera Bread around the corner and read...no phones, no quick questions...just me, a cup of great oj, and my book.
Laura Goble is coming to town this weekend. She is a great friend and comrade in the mission. Seeing her, however briefly, will be like a tall Diet Coke from Uncle Joe's on a hot August day (Uncle Joe's had the perfect mix of carbon and syrup to make the best Diet Coke). Can't wait.
Speaking of Diet Coke. I was a regular at the machine in the lobby of Hamburg Wesleyan. "She" (the machine) was always good to me...a little pick-me-up in the middle of the day. I learned today that she was replaced by a Pepsi maching...aarrghh! Oh, the betrayal!! Lou, what are you trying to do to me?!?! Pour salt in the wound. Sure, I may have influenced some of the minsitry in Hamburg while I was there, but my true and lasting (so I thought) legacy would be the Coke machine...so I join with the writer of Ecclessiastes...it's all a chasing after the wind...
But...I'm actually coming off the sauce. I'm down to drinking pretty much just de-caff. diet coke, working my way to not drinking the stuff at all (except while out to eat...nothing beats a little dc with a steak). I'm not sure what drove me over the edge...something about taking care of the body God gave me...blah, blah, blah. I think there's a connection between diet coke and my self-discipline in eating. Not sure, but hey, it's my hunch so I'll go with it.
Ok, that's the scoop for tonight.
Peace,
Matt
I spent last night fighting with the microwave. I wish I could say that I victoriously installed the new one above the stove. All the fighting was only to get the old one off the wall. I called several people who might be able to give me clues, but to no avail. Until my mother-in-law called back, that is. She was reading some instructions that she found for her own microwave and began reading through them. Nothing was new until..."pull the release lever.." What? A lever? Let me try this...whamo!! Thanks, Ma!
After that, it was time for West Wing so I gave up for the evening. Tonight...nope...not tonight. I'm working on my message (at least I will be in a few minutes) and then to bed.
Heidi continues to feel terrible. She's a strong woman, though and manages during the day pretty well. She's crashed on the couch right now. They're so peaceful when they're asleep...
I finally got to do some reading this week. It's ironic...in Hamburg, when I preached only once-in-awhile, I got to read more than a book a week. Now, in a situation where I need to read a lont to stay on top of preparation for speaking, I don't get the time to do it. Hmmm...
But this week, I made the time. Just like Lance Armstrong needs to discipline himself to be the best in his craft, I need to force myself to do what it takes to be the best at mine. It was great! I holed up at Panera Bread around the corner and read...no phones, no quick questions...just me, a cup of great oj, and my book.
Laura Goble is coming to town this weekend. She is a great friend and comrade in the mission. Seeing her, however briefly, will be like a tall Diet Coke from Uncle Joe's on a hot August day (Uncle Joe's had the perfect mix of carbon and syrup to make the best Diet Coke). Can't wait.
Speaking of Diet Coke. I was a regular at the machine in the lobby of Hamburg Wesleyan. "She" (the machine) was always good to me...a little pick-me-up in the middle of the day. I learned today that she was replaced by a Pepsi maching...aarrghh! Oh, the betrayal!! Lou, what are you trying to do to me?!?! Pour salt in the wound. Sure, I may have influenced some of the minsitry in Hamburg while I was there, but my true and lasting (so I thought) legacy would be the Coke machine...so I join with the writer of Ecclessiastes...it's all a chasing after the wind...
But...I'm actually coming off the sauce. I'm down to drinking pretty much just de-caff. diet coke, working my way to not drinking the stuff at all (except while out to eat...nothing beats a little dc with a steak). I'm not sure what drove me over the edge...something about taking care of the body God gave me...blah, blah, blah. I think there's a connection between diet coke and my self-discipline in eating. Not sure, but hey, it's my hunch so I'll go with it.
Ok, that's the scoop for tonight.
Peace,
Matt
Sunday, March 06, 2005
The Big Flu...
It's happened a couple times in the past few years. Heidi comes down with a terrible illness. She is nauseous 24/7...and it doesn't let up for about 8 months.
We figure that we're making a bunch of transitions in our lives...new home, new town, new state, new jobs, new community, new time zone...why not fill up the 4th bedroom?
The 3rd Furr is scheduled to arrive in Lake Villa, IL sometime around October 18, 2005. If the baby comes before the 16th, that will be three babies in less than three years...triplets the hard way!
We're excited and know that we are being obedient to God. I'm sure that Heidi will reflect more on this situation in her own blog (link to the right).
WAHOOO...we're having a baby!!!
So much for quiet evenings...
Matt
We figure that we're making a bunch of transitions in our lives...new home, new town, new state, new jobs, new community, new time zone...why not fill up the 4th bedroom?
The 3rd Furr is scheduled to arrive in Lake Villa, IL sometime around October 18, 2005. If the baby comes before the 16th, that will be three babies in less than three years...triplets the hard way!
We're excited and know that we are being obedient to God. I'm sure that Heidi will reflect more on this situation in her own blog (link to the right).
WAHOOO...we're having a baby!!!
So much for quiet evenings...
Matt
Rock on!
I'm feeling sort of a buzz after this weekend. I'm excited on several fronts.
On a basic level, I'm excited about the adjustments that have been made to the sound system at Northwest. Since my arrival, I've wanted to help nurture a better quality in the sound, but I just don't have the tools to do it. So this weekend, Carter came from Michigan to lend a hand (and ear) to our efforts. Just what he did on Saturday alone made a dramatic difference. Can't thank you enough, Carter!! It made a world of difference. I'm excited about that.
A side note...it was also great to see my niece, Becca. She's growing up into a young lady. Love you, Becca! Thanks for coming.
This weekend was also significant because we baptized two people this morning. Cindy is a lady who has always sensed God's presence in her life, but only nailed down her own commitment to him in recent years. When she heard me talk about the upcoming baptism time, she knew she was supposed to do it. Her daughter, who has been instrumental in her faith development, read her story before the baptism. It was special.
After that, Danielle was baptized. Danielle is 11 years old and has made a decision to live her whole life for Jesus. She read he story in her own words. I think that God was totally pumped to hear this little girl express total devotion to Jesus.
Just last October, Danielle's mother was killed in a car accident. Jill was the Children's Pastor at Northwest. She left a legacy of loving kids and helping them love Jesus. But even more than that, she left a legacy of teaching her own children to love Jesus.
As you might imagine, today was a special day for the church family to stand with Danielle as she was baptized by her dad, Brian.
It's times like this that I am so in awe of God...that he would allow me to walk with people on their faith journey and that He would decide to use me to lead His church like this. It's my gift. It's what I live for...to please my Master.
And to top it off, another young lady came to my office after the celebration time (which followed the worship gathering during which they were baptized). She told me that she would like to be baptized the next time we do them! Isn't that awesome?!?! God is working in the hearts of "children"!
It's a quiet night around the Furr house...for now...
Peace,
Matt
On a basic level, I'm excited about the adjustments that have been made to the sound system at Northwest. Since my arrival, I've wanted to help nurture a better quality in the sound, but I just don't have the tools to do it. So this weekend, Carter came from Michigan to lend a hand (and ear) to our efforts. Just what he did on Saturday alone made a dramatic difference. Can't thank you enough, Carter!! It made a world of difference. I'm excited about that.
A side note...it was also great to see my niece, Becca. She's growing up into a young lady. Love you, Becca! Thanks for coming.
This weekend was also significant because we baptized two people this morning. Cindy is a lady who has always sensed God's presence in her life, but only nailed down her own commitment to him in recent years. When she heard me talk about the upcoming baptism time, she knew she was supposed to do it. Her daughter, who has been instrumental in her faith development, read her story before the baptism. It was special.
After that, Danielle was baptized. Danielle is 11 years old and has made a decision to live her whole life for Jesus. She read he story in her own words. I think that God was totally pumped to hear this little girl express total devotion to Jesus.
Just last October, Danielle's mother was killed in a car accident. Jill was the Children's Pastor at Northwest. She left a legacy of loving kids and helping them love Jesus. But even more than that, she left a legacy of teaching her own children to love Jesus.
As you might imagine, today was a special day for the church family to stand with Danielle as she was baptized by her dad, Brian.
It's times like this that I am so in awe of God...that he would allow me to walk with people on their faith journey and that He would decide to use me to lead His church like this. It's my gift. It's what I live for...to please my Master.
And to top it off, another young lady came to my office after the celebration time (which followed the worship gathering during which they were baptized). She told me that she would like to be baptized the next time we do them! Isn't that awesome?!?! God is working in the hearts of "children"!
It's a quiet night around the Furr house...for now...
Peace,
Matt
Thursday, March 03, 2005
ooops, wrong week...
I've spent several hours this past week working on a message...for next week. I try to plan out several weeks in advance....good theory, but you've got to have your head on straight...which is a tall order for me these days.
So I'm trying to make up time...still working on the message for this week. Oh, well...maybe that will help me get even further ahead! Wouldn't that be fun?!?!
The house is quiet and still. I'm sitting at the kitchen table writing this instead of my message (for the moment). I'm a night person, so this time of day works great for me. The problem is that my kids are morning people...bad combination. I can't wait for the day when I can just holler, "Go downstairs and stay quiet. Daddy will be down there about lunchtime!" But that's just a few months away...
I'm studying the passage in John 11, where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. That's a pretty intense scene when you look closely. I'm actually focusing on the encounter that takes place prior to the Lazarus part...it's Jesus' conversation with Martha and Mary, Laz's sisters.
They get it as much as anyone did while Jesus was alive. Yet there was still a piece that was missing.
And Jesus...John captures the intensity of this guy. Our contemporary rendering of the story has had the effect of sterilizing it a bit. As I dig into the specific words that John uses to describe what he saw...wow!
Time to get back at it. Should be a crazy weekend. Carter is coming to town to do as assessment of Northwest's techinical needs. He's a genius at this stuff and is doing me a favor. That will take up pretty much all of Saturday morning. When he's not working, we'll be hanging out. Carter is a friend. He's also my former brother-in-law...which means that Becca will be coming with him. She's my pre-teen niece who I haven't seen in a long time. It's so awesome to see her grow into a young woman. The cousins will love seeing her, too.
So, like I said, time to get back at it...
Peace,
M@
So I'm trying to make up time...still working on the message for this week. Oh, well...maybe that will help me get even further ahead! Wouldn't that be fun?!?!
The house is quiet and still. I'm sitting at the kitchen table writing this instead of my message (for the moment). I'm a night person, so this time of day works great for me. The problem is that my kids are morning people...bad combination. I can't wait for the day when I can just holler, "Go downstairs and stay quiet. Daddy will be down there about lunchtime!" But that's just a few months away...
I'm studying the passage in John 11, where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. That's a pretty intense scene when you look closely. I'm actually focusing on the encounter that takes place prior to the Lazarus part...it's Jesus' conversation with Martha and Mary, Laz's sisters.
They get it as much as anyone did while Jesus was alive. Yet there was still a piece that was missing.
And Jesus...John captures the intensity of this guy. Our contemporary rendering of the story has had the effect of sterilizing it a bit. As I dig into the specific words that John uses to describe what he saw...wow!
Time to get back at it. Should be a crazy weekend. Carter is coming to town to do as assessment of Northwest's techinical needs. He's a genius at this stuff and is doing me a favor. That will take up pretty much all of Saturday morning. When he's not working, we'll be hanging out. Carter is a friend. He's also my former brother-in-law...which means that Becca will be coming with him. She's my pre-teen niece who I haven't seen in a long time. It's so awesome to see her grow into a young woman. The cousins will love seeing her, too.
So, like I said, time to get back at it...
Peace,
M@
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
office changes...
I spent a couple hours today making some changes at the office. Dee, the Administrative Assistant at church, is moving to another location...closer to the door, which makes it easier for her to greet guests. Now that she's moved, Jon and his crew will work on making another office down by me (not that any of this make sense to those of you who have never seen the Northwest building). Kevin will take the office in the next few weeks. It will be awesome to have him closer...easier for me to pester!
I spent another serveal hours this evening chasing down a new microwave. Ours died. Apparently, there has been a run on over-the-range microwaves...it's impossible to find on in stock for less than 400 bucks...and I'm definatley paying less than 400 bucks. Found one for 150...but I have to wait until next week to pick it up. I hope Libby and Izak begin liking cold milk!
Not much exciting. I'm going to read a bit and then go to bed.
Peace,
M@
I spent another serveal hours this evening chasing down a new microwave. Ours died. Apparently, there has been a run on over-the-range microwaves...it's impossible to find on in stock for less than 400 bucks...and I'm definatley paying less than 400 bucks. Found one for 150...but I have to wait until next week to pick it up. I hope Libby and Izak begin liking cold milk!
Not much exciting. I'm going to read a bit and then go to bed.
Peace,
M@
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