True Change

I just got done listening to Barach Obamas' speech in Houston after he won in Wisc. At several points in his speech he talked about change that needs to happen in our country and world. He talked about several ideas that I thought resonated some of the teachings of Jesus. I'm becoming a fan of this guy. This will probably freak some of my conservative family and friends but that has never stopped me before!

I also earlier in the night listened to Mcains' acceptance speech and just wasn't impressed. He left a bad feeling in my gut. All he wanted to talk about was the Islamic threat and how we need to build up our military. He spoke from a voice of strength and how he had been tested and his leadership was right for the country. I couldn't help but think how the republican party has had their chance and so far in my mind haven't left our country in a good position.

I guess General Colon Powell (sp) summed it up for me a few years ago when he made the statement that We would never win the war on terror by military force. We will only win through humanitarian aid. (love your neighbor ring a bell?) He continued by saying it's much harder to bomb a country that just built a school in your village.

Have you noticed in the recent past how popular helping your neighbor is becoming?

• Extreme home makeover (I'm in tears when I watch)
• Teachings by great pastors (Rob Bell, Brian Mclaren)
• New church plants becoming missional focused. (City Life, The Deep, Overflow)
• The One Campaign
• The new Oprah show where she gives people money so they can give it to others.

These are just a few off the top of my head. I'm beginning to think true change can happen!

Let's provide some Hope!

Randy

The "P" Bug

Saturday afternoon after finishing the painting in Michaels old room I started feeling a little dizzy. I realized that my dizzyness was probably from the fact that I hadn't opened any window for ventilation. I was so intent on getting this job done that I hadn't taken the time to open a window. Feeling pretty stupid I opened a window and continued working. I then startd developing a cough. Of course now all kinds of thoughts are running through my head about paint and bronchial hairs in my lungs.
Sunday morning the coughing had not gone away and I was getting nasal congestion and common cold symptoms. I tried to make it to Benton Harbor but I wasn't feeling good and we were in a whiteout condition. I stayed in my sweats all day Sunday and things were progressivly getting worse.
Monday morning I got up to go to work and quickly realized that wasn't going to happen. I couldn't breath and every time I coughed I had tears in my eyes because of the bruised ribs from coughing so much the day before. I scheduled an appointment to see the doctor. He said I had Pnuemonia. He sent me to the hospital for x-rays and gave me drugs. He also told me to stay home from work for three days. He said if I pushed it I'd probably end up in the hospital. I remember seeing my sister almost die from pnuemonia so I don't want any part of that.
So here I sit on Tues. feeling like crap and blogging.
Well so much for now,
Randy

Exhale

A good friend of mine once gave an example of the healthy Christian Life. He had us inhale and hold it. Then he said to inhale again, then again. Of course at this point I couldn't inhale anymore. He then let us Exhale.
His point was that we as Christians can go to church and small groups and Bible studies ect. (inhale) At some point we have to get busy and use some of the teachings we've recieced.

Last night I got to be a part of an Exhale event. The Wed. night groupI belong to decided to go out and do some acts of kindness. Yesterday was a blizzard of a day. We recieved about seven inches of driving snow. My friend Chris called with an idea to do some snowblowing and shoveling. We have a friend (Denny Forner) who is in critical condition in the hospital. Denny and his wife Darla are wonderful people. We decided to clean out their driveway.
Once we started talking about who we could bless we got busy. We ended up doing six driveways and had a great time. People were bowled over when we came to the door and asked for the keys to their vehicles so we could clean out their driveway. One of our friends (Mitch) was babysitting his children with his mother in law because his wife is in the hospital. Chris said he was just about in tears when he saw what we were doing. Have you ever blessed somebody to tears? That is so cool!
Chris and I have become good friends with an elderly gentleman Norm. Norm lost his wife this year and has been really lonely since then. We visited Norms house last night. He was snowed in bad. Chris went to the door to get his keys to his van and couldn't wake him. He had the TV on so loud and was sleeping in his chair. I asked Chris "you're sure he was sleeping" Chris assured me he was. I'll bet he was suprised when he woke up this morning!
One more Story and it's about our group of guys. We at one point stopped what we were doing and stood in a driveway and prayed for the people that we were serving. I realized at that point how lucky I was to have some authentic Christian friends that are truly seekers. Friends that have grown together as we have listened to great teaching and are willing to ask good questions and be real with each other.
Blessings,
Randy

House Shopping

Deb and I have been having fun searching for a new home. We found this cute little home built in the 1940's. Inside it was reallly cute and cozy inside. It seems kind of weird to be thinking about buying a home that just Deb and I will be living in. All the kids will be gone and living elswhere.

This house is only about five miles from the mall and Cinema (aka church office and church). It's also close enough to ride our bikes to the beach! We are going to pray it doesn't sell until we're ready to move!