See Ya' '05...

What a year. Except for 1973 when I passed from womb to world, I don't think a single year has been as filled with change (for me) as this past year. Not much has remained the same...

- new hometown
- new home (including phone number, cell phone number, address, etc.)
- new job with a whole new role in a different kind of local church with a new sort of climate
- my friendships have changed -- they still remain dear, but the proximity and way we relate has changed.
- new friends -- people who are becoming dear friends already
- and a new son.

Yup...it's been a year of change. But there are a few things that haven't changed...

- Heidi and I remain a strong us...I guess it's changed in that we continue to grow, but it's not changed in that it's still a source of strength, joy, and peace
- our cars are the same (Dodge Caravan still is crap and a scrappy '96 Escort)
- God is still being faithful to us. Through the intensity of painful decisions, the sorrow of good-byes, the doubts about tomorrow...through all these things, God has been faithful. He has been faithful to remind me of his love. He has reminded me of his calling to obedience and trust. He has been faithful to supply strength beyond what I thought my limits were. He has been faithful to give wisdom and insight. he has been faithful in providing financially and material things like a nice home where we can entertain and enjoy being family together, cars that keep going (or the money to keep them going), and people who can help me learn to do drywall, plumbing, and home repairs.

Yup...a bunch has changed. But some pretty important things haven't. So to Heidi, my bride of 11+ years...I'm excited to headinto 2006 with you at my side -- it's time for a new phase. And to my Father...thank you for your faithfulness in days gone by...a reminder that you will be faithful every day to come. I trust you and will follow...

Happy New Year.

Peace on the Journey,

M@

it's a go...

at least for now. The company called and said Heidi will work at least a half shift tonight. She might even work a whole one. That means that Daddy Day is going to begin in about 40 minutes as Mommy pulls out of the driveway. Hold on, kids...you're in Daddy's world now!

Peace (mostly),

M@

one down...

...many to go (hopefully). It was my first Christmas as a lead pastor and my first with this community at Northwest. What a nice weekend on many levels...

Northwest -- We worshipped together on Christmas Eve with two services. We weren't quite sure 2 would work - afraid everyone would come to one and the other would feel strange. It worked! Both had a great feel and a good group. Then Sunday morning, we gathered together for a family Christmas celebration, which means that it included food, familiar songs, a short dramatic reading of the birth of Jesus, and a quick message by the lead pastor. It was a good time to celebrate together.

Home -- my folks came from Michigan for the weekend. I think it's the first Christmas that we've celebrated with family on Christmas day. What a nice time. They seemed to have a nice time with the kids -- though they will nap very well when they get home on Tuesday! Levi had a great time hanging out with Grandpa, who has a nice shoulder and a mesmerizing touch...ahh...And Izak and Libby loved showing of.

My wife gave me an amazing gift. She blew the budget and loved me extravagently...it was so special on so many different levels. I was humbled and speechless...thank you, my love.

Family day was a good time, playing with new toys. Izak loves his gift from his Aunt Suzy...who lives 4 hours away and will get hers someday. He calls them his instruments...they are cymbals! He loves to march...aarrgghh....

Libby's best gift was a mirror...she loves to make faces at her friend! It's entertaining for all of us.

Well, that's the weekend in a nutshell. I've got Tuesday off, as well. Heidi is scheduled to work in the evening, but we'll see (so far she's been called off 3 times).

Peace,

M@

Merry Christmas!

No rantings, updates, or insights on this blog.

Just the truest wishes for you to know the peace and joy of Immanuel, God with us this Christmas season.

Peace,

Matt

Embracing Love...

They are the most quoted verses in the Bible..."For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not die but have everlasting life." John 3:16. You've seen the banners at sporting events for decades. If you went to church at all while growing up, you've memorized these verses. If you have ever sought out God's mercy...you probably drove down this street at one point. But rarely to do we stop to stare at these words.

How profound they are...God's love moved him to action. That action was to move heaven and hell (literally) in order to create a way for us (created humanity) to enter into a love relationship with him. God's greatest revelation of himself is the characteristic of love.

Then how did he get the reputation of being mean-spirited? How did we begin thinking that we need to measure up before we win his approval? Oh, yeah...because that's how we do things...

We tell girls that as they grow up, they will find love when they are pretty.
We tell boys that they will find love and value when they produce something of worth.
We tell our children that they are move loved when they succeed or do what we want. We don't mean to (usually), but it's easy to slip into that message.


Somewhere, somehow, we learned that if we are to have value, it will come as we do something to deserve it. So when we are offered pure love and we know we don't deserve it...it's pretty hard to take. We smack at the extended hand as if to say, "Show me what's behind your back. What's the trick." And even when He says, "No trick...just my love." We still look at Him with suspicion.

But there's not trick. There is just love. I don't deserve it. Neither do you. Why? I don't know for sure. The safey of receiving his love isn't in understanding it, but in basking in it.

What makes it hard for you to receive God's love? What does it look like for you to receive it?

What a perfect gift...Merry Christmas.

M@

quite a season...

I'm drawing to the close of some scientific research. Though some data remains out, I feel safe in my conclusions: a house with three kids is more crazy and busy than a house with two kids. I know, I might be stepping out on a limb there, but...

We've all had colds over the course of the past couple weeks. Nothing more pathetic than young kids with colds...not even a dad with a cold;-) But I think we're all over the worst of it.

I have spent the past few days recovering from a minor medical procedure. Nothing big. But it's given me some time to lay still and listen to the sound of crazy on the main floor of the house. Heidi gets a huge Mother's Day gift for this past week...HUGE!

Heidi is scheduled to work this Saturday. That makes it DADDY DAY!!! We love daddy days! She was called off last Saturday, but the chances of it happening twice...pretty small. I'm a little nervous, but it should be great fun!

We've expecting visitors during the Christmas/New Years week. My folks will be in town for Christmas -- this might be the first Christmas that we've spent with family in just about 11 years. That will be fun. The day they leave, some friends that we've known for about 10 years will be driving through and staying the night. This will be the first time that the DeRouchies will meet our children and the first time we'll meet 2 of their 3. What a nice time. Then the day after that, Heidi's mother and sister, Steph, are scheduled to visit. They were supposed to come last weekend, but the flu struck Bay City and the plans fell through. They should be able to hop a train and spend New Years with us. Lou, Heidi's dad, will join them on the weekend. Party at the Furr house!!

That's the news from Lake Villa...

Peace,

M@

Thank you...

Heidi and I went to Olive Garden for a date the other night. We were stuffed back in a corner, far from all the hubbub...perfect. As we were talking, I heard a little voice above the din. Glansing to my left, at the next table, I saw a little girl, probably about 7 years old, standing straight and looking straight into the eyes of the three Navy men who were all sitting quietly and looking back at her. She was singing to them in a soft and tender voice.

I couldn't make out all the words to the song. But above the noise of the room, I heard "You answered the call..."and "Thank you...Thank you...Thank you."

Her family was there to celebrate grandma's birthday. But this little girl had to sing a special song for these servicement. Her mother explained to them that they have tried to teach her how special men and women have answered the call to serve their country in the military. She understood...and when she saw them, she just wanted to say, "Thank you..."

It's a moment that took be aback...difficult to put into words here. I was glad to have been invited into that moment by the tender voice of a little girl.

When she finished, the three of them all said, "You're welcome."

*************
Just finished our monthly elder team meeting. I love meeting with these people! I've loved it very time for the past year. We deal with mundane things like budgets and paint. And we deal with difficult things like conflict. We also talk about vision, mission and strategy. I love all these conversations because within all of them, we are becoming...we are becoming the church God wants us to be.

Does He care what color the walls are? Not really...though I think some forms of fushia probably offend Him! But He cares that we care...because the way a room feels makes a difference as people gather to experience and encounter with our Amazing God.

So in the budgets and vision...we find Him. They are not God. But God is so worth the hard work of leading well.

Time for bed.

Peace,

M@