Christmas.

On Christmas morning before the sun came up I took a drive. By the grace of God NEOchurch still had presents to give to children and families who might miss Christmas this year.

Somewhere around 5:30ish in the a.m. I found myself driving downtown to the Cleveland Clinic Hospital to drop off all our remaining presents to the Pediatric unit of the Hospital. You should have seen the faces of those working the desk when I said I had gifts. Priceless!

What a season of giving this has been.

This Christmas through the generosity of many at NEOchurch we have witnessed the Joy of children and families receiving a Christmas they would not otherwise have had.

This season...

- Laura's home; a battered Woman's ...

Recently I called home to check in with mom and dad from Tucson and received some very sad news from my mom. My best childhood friend Brian Hasslinger died in a sudden automobile accident. What a shock. Evidently his car ran out of gas along the highway in New Mexico. As he looked for gas, he crossed the street and was struck by a Semi. The driver reported that he never saw him until it was to late. He died instantly.

 In one moment, my friend Brian was ushered into eternity.

 Its hard to say goodbye. Brian and I lived in the same apartment complex the majority of our boyhood. We laughed, cried and were forced to eat health food cookies together by our parents. Those cookies were truly terrible. I remember them today ...

I am white. I know for most of you that doesn't come as a surprise. However, in my case it means I have 'lactose rhythm disorder.' I can't dance. And yes, if you really must know, I just made 'lactose rhythm disorder' up.

I have some black brothers and sisters who can move. One of my best college friends in-particular. He can move. The music begins to play and watch out. Worship through dance begins to take place.

Have you ever been given the opportunity to experience a great Gospel Choir Concert? If you have look out! When the music begins and the voices in worship to God get raised...God's presence descends. Voices singing, bodies moving.  By the end of the night you are lighter spiritually, emotionally And physically. 10 pounds lighter to be exact.

In the Bible David danced. Miriam the ...

Psalm 103:1-5

"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the Eagles."

Do you know what Paul and Silas did when they were unjustly accused, stripped, severely flogged, thrown in the deepest dungeon, bound hand and foot and commanded to be guarded closely? They worshipped.

No kidding. That's what Acts 16:16-40 says they did. With all the strength they could muster they lifted their heads, took a deep breath and praised the Lord!!

Think that's a fluke? Do you know who wrote Psalm 103? King David. The one who was forced to flee from Saul for 8 years for ...

Did you know the word Prodigal means “lavish,” “abundant” or “overflowing.” I’ll bet most of us would have defined the word prodigal as bad, selfish or wayward. Growing up I’ve heard countless messages preached on this parable and I’ve never come away believing the word Prodigal means lavish. Have you?

When you begin to study a passage in the Bible its amazing what comes flying off the page. Believe it or not the story of the Prodigal son found in Luke 15 is not so much about the son as it is about his father.

According to the story the son wants “freedom” from his fathers house to do whatever he wants to do. He has convinced himself the distant country would make him happy but his plan requires cash. He wasn’t a dumb son because he knew the law of Deut 21:17...essentially the law states that one third of the parental ...

"Let the little children come unto me."

The other day I was driving with my oldest son Daniel to school when he commented that time was moving "so slowly..." It's great what kids come up with. Honestly, I had no idea what he was talking about so I said "when does time move fast?"

He had a ready answer. "Dad, there are three times when time moves really fast! One is at recess, the second is in Football and the third is at church." I almost swallowed my tongue when I heard that.

Church? What seven year old who's father is church planting says church? I thought maybe I should roll the windows down and stick my head out just to make sure I was ok. Was this really Daniel? Had I woken up the wrong child for school?

Truth be told, when I heard my son talking about his love for Sunday morning...about ...

Faithful..."He who has called you is faithful and he will do it." (1
Thessalonians 5:24)

A number of months ago I picked up a book written by Mark Driscoll called
Confessions of a Reformission Rev. It's one of the most honest and laugh
out loud hilarious books I have ever read.

The book is a window into the personal and professional life of a young
pastor trying to serve God. If you haven't read this book I highly recommend
it. Throughout the pages of Marks narrative you are brought to one
conclusion...God is faithful.

Over the course of this last year I have begun preparing my own titles to
chapters like: Lord, Where's the urinal?...(Please help me God, I have so
much ...

Faithfulness

"One generation will commend your works to another..." Psalm 145:4

It would be fitting for my first blog that I thank God for His faithfulness. Even as I write this I am reminded of the hymn written by Thomas Chisholm...Great is Thy Faithfulness. The first stanza reads, "Great is thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father. Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great ...