As of 2:00 PM today, we’ve taken possession of our new house. The keys were dropped off at the real estate agent and Kristen zoomed from the supermarket to retreive them. That was it, with a phone call… it became 100% ours.

I made a trip over there earlier this evening to drop off all the paint we’ve purchased from Paul’s, Megan’s, and our bedroom. Obviously, this is very exciting for the family. The kids had a blast running around to the different rooms. We even met one of the neighbors, they are awesome.

A funny thing I wasn’t expecting. The kids were excited about their new house but didn’t feel free to just play. They are being very cautious about the whole thing. It will change for sure by the end of the week. [Especially since a member of the church wants to give us a massive play structure!]

We plan on painting and gradually moving stuff over to the new place by the end of the week. I think I’ll be asking for furniture help this Saturday to finish it out.

It still doesn’t feel real? How did this happen?

So this struck me this afternoon. I don’t know if I am bothered by it or not… but it’s worth talking about with PB next week.

I got an e-mail from PB today asking me to do something before Sunday AM. Now, Saturday is my day off. I am off on Monday’s as well… am I somehow responsible to work whenever PB asks?

I don’t think so. I don’t think this was done arrogantly… afterall, PB works Saturday’s because he is a procrastinator! He probably assumed I was doing the same thing.

My big thing here is, “Am I being selfish for protecting this day off?” Doesn’t my family need for me to be selfish? Don’t they deserve me? Or is the website and other stupid stuff more important?

OK, enough ranting!

There are a lot of things going on in my mind right now… here are some on the top 5 list.

1. Moving: Obviously, we are moving next week and there are still a myriad of details to handle. As I drove to work this morning I saw that the previous owners have a moving company there today… PHEW! This means we really are going to be moving this next week. The strange thing is that with everything else spinning out of control right now, it’s not even really sunken in yet that in a few days we will be living at a different address.
2. Office renovation. It’s been about 6 weeks since the office renovations began. They are nearing completion… but a lot of this finish stuff takes time. My office is getting painted and carpeted this weekend. [As are all of the offices] The furniture will be ordered soon… so it looks like I’ll have a new office very soon. Some nice additions that they’ve made to the office space. Sound proofing. New everything, windows going in during Phase 1 in November. Kitchenette for us work-aholics. Counseling area. Massive work area for office staff. Fixed the order so that the secretarial staff can screen our visitors instead of the other way around.
3. Home renovation. As I write this Kristen has a pocket full of money and is dashing around buying stuff for our new house. She’s been given $500 per room for the 3 bedrooms to do a “HGTV Design-like Challenge.” She seems to be having fun with that. I know I get to spend all day Monday painting and all day tommorow buying stuff at Home Depot and Sears. I am thinking of replacing all of the kitchen countertops next week as well.
4. Light Force. I’ve been a bit consumed with improving LF, especially Sunday school. I’ve activated my other ms/hs teachers a lot more with this new idea… I hope it sticks. Here is what we are teaching right now. Yep, stole it from Doug Fields! Good stuff.
5. Golf team. The Romeo Golf Team has really stunk it up this year. We started off the year with such high hopes… what the hell is going on? Our #1 player quit last week. We’ve suspended a talented junior and I doubt he’ll come back. Now, last night, we suspended 2 seniors for a myriad of stupidity. All of a sudden, we’re looking at a team with lots of talent, not a lot of drive, undisciplined, and losing like crazy. Next week’s Macomb County tournament… we’re planning on starting 2 freshmen! I am really disappointed with this season so far. It’s a nightmare.

So… these are the things going on in my life besides work. Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, hopefully I can concentrate of one project at a time.

Last night was our first LF of the school year. I was simply amazed at how many students we had there. While there weren’t any new faces that I saw… there were lots of the old regulars who we hadn’t seen in a long, long time. It was quite an encouragement to me and my team.

As always, all of my LF talks are posted on the LF website. There is a link for that on the sidebar.

Romeo area residents rally to help hurricane victims
by MICHELLE TANGUAY
Observer News Editor
Romeo area residents have once again displayed their compassion and generosity by coming together to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina. From accepting donations of items and money to holding fundraisers, adults and children alike are helping the many whose lives have been devastated by the hurricane. One 7-year-old Romeo girl was so upset by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, she spent her Labor Day weekend selling lemonade to help those affected, especially the babies. Nicole Beaufait learned of the hurricane as her parents were watching television coverage of it. “I was watching the news and she was asking questions,” said her mother, Mary Jo Beaufait. “She said, `Mom, we have to have a family meeting,’” Mary Jo said. From that meeting, Nicole decided to have a lemonade stand to raise money. Assisted by her sister, Erin, 5, she set up a table outside of her house and made signs. Despite all of the activities going on during the Peach Festival, Nicole did not want to leave her stand, according to her mom. “She didn’t want to go to the carnival or go to the parade,” she said. Nicole, a second-grader at Croswell Elementary School, earned $100 for her efforts. “It made me feel really good,” she said of knowing that she is helping others. She has decided to use the money to buy diapers, baby food and canned food and then donate the items to the Salvation Army. “I was so extremely proud of her,” Mary Jo said. Members of First Baptist Church of Romeo also recognized the need to help the smallest victims of the hurricane. Earlier this month, eight members from the church traveled to Hattiesburg, Miss., bringing with them diapers, baby food and 3,000 pounds of water as well as a $3,500 donation. The eight men left on Tuesday, Sept. 6, and returned on Thursday, Sept. 8, and teamed up with a church from the west side of the state. All of the items taken had been donated in one day’s time after an announcement was made during the church’s services Sunday, Sept. 4. Adam McLane, pastor of student ministries at First Baptist, made the trip and was impressed with the congregation’s generosity. “People were so compassionate,” McLane said. “They just sprang to action.” When the group arrived in Hattiesburg, which is 60 to 70 miles from the Gulf coast, McLane said about one-third to one-half of the trees were down and signs were all blown out. He said on the day they arrived, about 50 percent of the city’s power came back online. After the truck was unloaded, the items were immediately reloaded on a U-Haul truck to be taken down to the Gulf coast, McLane said. While the group was only in Hattiesburg for a few hours, he said members were encouraged by what they saw. “What we really saw was neighbors helping neighbors,” he said. “We left more encouraged than we thought we would be,” he continued. Other members of the group were First Baptist Pastor Bob Bryant, Nathan Jordan, director of children’s ministries, and church members John Vasos, Dan Kueppers, Cliff Phillips, Dave Wrobleski and Richard Cummings. McLane said the church is working on some other ideas to assist the hurricane victims. For more information, go to the church’s Web site www.fbcromeo.org Here is a rundown of some other ways residents can help:
* Celebrationz will hold a benefit for hurricane victims 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 18. On that day, Celebrationz will donate all of the money made from haircuts to the relief effort. The benefit will also feature chair massages by a representative of Origins Institute for $1 a minute with all money donated to the effort. In addition, the Romeo High School cheerleaders will hold a car wash and donate all of the proceeds. The event will also feature live music. Celebrationz is located at 299 S. Main St. in Romeo.
* Members of the newly-formed Brownie Girl Scout Troop #3081 are seeking a business or individual to match the donation they plan to give the American Red Cross to help the victims of the hurricane. The troop was scheduled to have a bake sale at the Orchard Primary School Open House Sept. 13. Members also sold concessions during the Peach Festival. The Brownies will make a decision on their donation during their meeting Sept. 27. Anyone wishing to match the donation should call Christine Callender at (810) 798-0105 or Diane Palazzola at (810) 796-9146.
* Oakwood Cabinets in Almont is serving as a hurricane emergency relief drop-off location through Thursday, Sept. 15. Supplies needed include water, toiletries, batteries, non-perishable food items, candles, diapers, formula, new clothing items, shoes, paper products (paper plates, napkins, silverware, paper towels, etc.) Supplies can be dropped off 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oakwood Cabinets is located at 3803 Van Dyke. Call (810) 798-3032.
* Richmond Chrysler Dodge Jeep is accepting donations from residents or businesses who wish to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The dealership’s 115 employees are making donations and Dick Huvaere, president of Richmond Chrysler Dodge Jeep, will match all employee donations 100 percent. “I’ve been through two hurricanes myself, so I know firsthand the devastation that something like this can cause,” Huvaere said. “We’ve asked all of our employees to help in any way that they can.” Donations will given to the Salvation Army. Send donations in the form of a check to Richmond Chrysler Dodge Jeep Hurricane Relief Program, P.O. Box 310, Richmond, MI 48062.
* The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is taking donations for hurricane relief. Donations can be dropped off at St. John Lutheran Church in Romeo or mailed to: ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764. Checks should be made out to ELCA Domestic Disaster Response with Hurricane Katrina written on the notation line. St. John is located at 246 Benjamin in Romeo.
* Schools in the Romeo School District are expected to hold fundraisers this month in their buildings to raise money for the hurricane relief effort. Once the fundraisers are held, the money raised will be combined and offered as one donation from the district.
* Macomb County has announced a coordinated effort known as Macomb Together to collect financial donations from residents and businesses all over the county and then give the money directly to aid agencies helping victims of Hurricane Katrina. “All of Macomb County is concerned about the agony and loss caused by Hurricane Katrina,” said Nancy White, chairwoman of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners. “We are standing together to funnel relief in a highly coordinated way directly to where it’s needed most.” Donations can be dropped off at six different locations throughout the county. Locally, donations can be dropped off at the 42nd District Court building, 14713 33 Mile Road. Checks should be made out to the Salvation Army or American Red Cross. Checks can also be mailed to: Macomb Together, Mount Clemens, MI 48043.

The concept of storytelling is all the rage in youth ministry these days. All of the really good youth speakers [read “expensive”] are great at drawing their students into the talk with a good story. In the emergent church movement storytelling has been chosen as the best mode of communication. Most point to a simple fact that “everyone loves a good story.”

True enough. Americans are enthralled with a good story. Better yet, they are enthralled with a good story of murder, outrage, distrust, disloyalty, counter-culture, cheating, getting caught, on and on. Nothing fuels a bored generation’s interest than a little controversy. It’s a he said, she said type of culture. We, especially Christians, love to talk about “what’s really going on.”

For me, it’s counter-PA to join into a trend. I hate going with the flow… Even when the flow is right I like to try to go against it. By very nature I am a non-conformist. Not on this one.

What Light Force is doing with Tell me your story is 100% trendy. Everyone who is anyone is doing it. For the next 9 months I’ll be teaching the book of Luke around the simple idea that it’s a story and asking my audience to join the story. I chose this book to teach primarily because it’s a 2 year story. Year one, Luke, is Jesus life story. Year two, Acts, is the early churches life story. I am so trendy!

I am excited about being trendy. Gosh, that might sound like I am out to please people with this one. Not true. I am excited about this teaching series because it is Christ-centered and student centered. Christ loves for his Word to be taught… And I am going to teach it. Students love to hear stories… And I am going to teach them the bible using stories. As I venture into this it seems like a win-win for everyone.

Lord, please bless this series. Use it for your glory and you fame. May your story live within my students and change their hearts to live passionately for you. Amen.

In the previous couple of weeks I shared a fair amount exhibiting just how small I am and how big my task is. I’m a pretty much overwhelmed by my job. Scratch that, I am consumed by my calling. It’s too big for me and there are lots of times when I am frozen in the reality of my failures more than I can see successes.

I look at what I do as primarily people investment. There are a lot of people in the world who make a lot of money investing in money, investing in organizations, investing in one thing or another. These are great people who are passionate and actually fun to be around. Have you ever been around a CPA who really gets excited about accounting? I have… They make the mundane bowels of numbers sound like the Super Bowl. They are like magnets, when I am around those types of people I can’t help but want to ask them about how they invest in their jobs.

That’s how I feel about what I do. Yes, it is overwhelming. Ministry is the type of thing that will crush you with it’s magnitude and guilt because it should crush you to your knees. I often feel consumed in the realities of my ministry task because I see that it is a God-sized job dictated to a human sized me. That’s right, I often am overcome with guilt. The good part of it is that it drives me to beg God for mercy and wisdom, the bad part is that getting crushed hurts. I know the theology of free will but at the same time I can’t help but feel like I did something wrong when one of my students chooses to walk away from growing in Jesus. I am often left feeling like what I do doesn’t matter and never did matter and never will matter. I’ve said to Kristen several times in the last few months, “Why don’t I just go get a job teaching or something like that?” It’s times like these that you have to rest… That’s right… Rest on your calling. I continue because God has made me do this from the beginning. It’s not just that I like what I do, it’s not just that I am a geek for investing in students, it’s also that God is behind me. The Holy Spirit comforts me. And so I go on.

Of couse, there are times when you get glimpses… like looking behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz… Every so often you get a glimpse of what God is doing. He is doing something right now, I can feel it, I just don’t know 100% what it is. I’ll be sharing more about it when I get it all figured out. Until then… I am waiting.

I’ve had enough. The media has absolutely driven me to crazy with the hurricane coverage. As usual, they chose to pick on the political implications of things and miss the real story.

The read story on the gulf coast. It’s not about race, it’s not about the federal government or the state government… it’s about God and His people.

Let me be careful here. There are a lot of people out there saying “God judged the gulf coast and God did some good by destroying things there.” First off, that’s stupid any way you look at it. Socially, theologically, and practically. While God is sovereign over His creation we simply do not know if God judged the gulf coast. Secondly, the storm didn’t destroy New Orleans really bad areas. That theory is stupid and I’m not saying that at all.

Here’s what I mean about God being good. Theologically, I don’t agree with my title. God is never at His best since He is immutable… Unchanging and unchangeable. But what I mean is that God has been richly showing Himself to those effected. Take Mike for example.

Mike. We met Mike in a truck stop parking lot in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He wasn’t seeking anyone out, but we started talking to him and he started to tell his story. He had lost everything. Living just 3 blocks from the ocean, he admitted that he didn’t take the warnings seriously and didn’t leave home. When the storm surge came they tried to wait it out before realizing that their house was going to flood to the roof. He put his daughter and his wife in a small boat and tied the boat to his son and himself. Somehow they made it to a nearby highway and safety. He had lost everything, but get this: He was praising God! He told us how his family had never been closer. They had nothing but they were rich. God had protected him, he knew it, and he decided right then to start living his life for God. As he told his story, tears welled up in my eyes. This man had nothing to his name… But was happy with what God was doing in his life!

There were a lot of stories like Mike’s in Mississippi. I don’t mean this to sound like I am belittle those who are suffering… Not at all. But I do think the story we can focus on right now is the tremendous things God is doing in the gulf coast area through His people.

Yesterday was the day. We met at the Century 21 office at 10:00 am on Friday and we were officially homeowners by 11:30 am. It was amazing how smooth this whole thing went. Even better, we get to start moving in just 8 days. Just like that we left 8 years of renting behind and started building a little equity. It was an amazing feeling for Kristen and I.

What does this mean for us? At this point, I can only imagine what it means for us. For one thing, we get a lot more space. We have a permanent place that we can decorate and take care of all ourselves. While I am certain this new address will add some frustrations and will definitely hurt us with all the new costs we’ve never paid before… but it is our place. My kids can grow up there and it just feels like home. We can’t wait to start this new stage in life.

In other news. Paul suddenly got sick last night. He’s had a fever since last night. I took him for a walk last night as it was cooling off so he could get fresh air, etc. It definitely lifted his spirits… but he fell asleep on the way back and was really groggy when we got home. Megan was happy with the walk as well since we ended up going to Dairy Queen. You know Paul is sick when he turns down food!

ND today? Being an Irish fan in Wolverine country is awful fun today. Can’t wait until my Irish pound the U of M gang on their home turf.

Garage sales… With a new house looming and a massive list of crap we need… we’re headed out this morning in search of treasures.

I got a chance to watch this a little bit in Northern Ireland this summer. Since I was 80% asleep each time I tried to watch this… and I couldn’t find it anywhere in town… I just went ahead and bought it on Amazon tonight.

Our Northern Ireland team will appreciate getting together and enjoying some truly odd humor.

If you’ve never heard of this and doin’t mind some adult… cough cough… funny stuff, check it out.