on my heart...

I just noticed that it's been almost a month since my last blog. For my faithful readers...if there are any left...I'm sorry, but for the rest of you...tough it out!



what has been on my heart recently is that our county, Knox County, was just reported for the third year in a row on the state warning list for poverty. Many people think that poverty takes place only in far-away places. Obviously, that's not true. I've heard that 80% of the kids in Will's school are on free or reduced lunch (b/c of low or no wages for parents). Now, this is probably the most wealthy elementary school in our city and that's a really high number! I say this to say that poverty is here in our home of Galesburg and it makes my heart break.



I know that we've had poverty, but it hurts me to know that we have it to this extent. There was a "press conference" of all things to begin discussing the issue. Evidently there has been a "team" working together for 6 months on this issue, but no one seemed to know it. Basically, what this team said was that the community would have to work together to fight this. REALLY? It took you 6 months to deliberate and figure this out! WOW! These guys are brilliant!



Of course, there was the fundamentalist pastor there who said that if people just had "Jesus" they wouldn't be poor. I guess this guy never read the part of the Bible that said Jesus' followers left everything they had--home, family, clothes, food, jobs, etc. They were poor and they followed Jesus! Sometimes people are idiots...especially fundamentalist preachers.



This issue of poverty in our community is on my heart because I desperately want to do something about it. I'd like to fight it head on...but what to do as only one man? We could start a financial education program, set up new job training skills (like computer technology, etc.), and Sarah has been thinking about starting a ministry to pregnant women and new moms. The teenage pregnancy rate in this community is 14%--up 3 percent from last year--so it's obvious that this could be a place to begin working. I'd like some prayer support as we begin to look at what God is calling us to do for this community.

In the meantime, if you have ideas, suggestions, or comments...let me know! Peace out...

Back on Track

Many of you know that I am a pastor of a church in Illinois. It's not just a job, but a calling. I wake up each day knowing that this is what I am supposed to be doing. I don't have to questions whether or not I should go to work...because every day, everywhere I go am at work...the world is my office (as they say). But I wasn't always this way.
About 10 years ago I got a job as a teacher in the Dekalb school system in Atlanta, GA. During that time I fought getting up and going to work. It wasn't something I was called to do...in fact, it was something I dreaded doing. It wasn't easy, it never got rolling, it was just like going uphill all the way. But sometimes we need to go up before we can start cruising.
I think about the "hump" here in Galesburg which helpes switches trains from one line to a myriad of others. Each car is pushed, shoved and bumped up the hump and one by one released to the track that that will carry it to its next destination. Isn't it like that with us sometimes too? don't we need to be pushed up a hill just to be released into our future?
I have seen this many times with people in their faith lives as they've struggled to make a connection to God. It's almost like a chore...a job for them. The insteresting thing is that if we look back at difficult moments like that we see that God was often on the other end pushing us over the hump to carry us to the next part of our lives. If that's where you're at, let me know.
I've also seen this in the process of weight loss. Sometimes we plateau out, or we get off track. It's much harder making it anywhere when we're off track. It does feel like you're going up a hill with no end in sight. But look what happens afterward! You begin to cruise and you're back on to your future endeavors! I had softball practice last night (Go Presby Pirates!) and I felt greatbeing able to move more nimbly. I know I'm no where I need to be, but I am much better than I was and that may just be the release I needed to get back down the hill!
thanks for your encouragement and I look forward to hearing more from you. Remember, you don't need a google account to comment here, but they get sent to me first and I moderate who can comment. Also, if you're sending something without an account, please let me know who you are! I love to make connections with you all!
Stay on track...

champs and chumps

Since this will be my last posting of a Kansas picture for a little while I thought I would take advantage of the opportunity to sing, "We are the Champions!!" I feel real bad for those Memphis players/ex-cons--NOT! I am sick of hearing all this stuff about Memphis "losing" the game and the Jayhawks not really winning it. I knew that even if KU would win they wouldn't get any respect. The whole tourney we didn't get any. Everyone predicted that Georgetown would go to the Final four and KU would be left out again. Then we go and beat the #1 and #2 teams in the nation and the pundits are saying that Memphis "lost" the game and that KU didn't really win. Whatever! I know people on the East coast can't understand this...but let me throw a little Copernicus theory your way you east-coasters (and that includes you tobacco-smokin' Carolina fans too) THE WORLD DOES NOT REVOLVE AROUND YOU!! Just because you live farther away from California than others doesn't mean you're better than those west of the Mississippi. Which for those geographically-challenged people in the east (I'm talking about my Duke friends, ESPN commentators, and other such idiots) is a river. A long time ago many people sought to find out that there was A LOT better in the world than just the east coast, so they travelled west--over the river--and settled many of our great states. I won't go so far as to put Oklahoma in that category yet--we'll see what Bill Self chooses in the near future, then I may throw them in--or out.

enough of my ramblings about that. for those of you tracking my weight loss, you might as well stop reading now, because this week hasn't been good. I've gained a little because I'm on the road and they've been feeding us not so diet-friendly food. Can't say my big mexican dinner and beer helped much tonight, but oh well. When I get back in to town it's back on the horse, because we have family coming in and I wanna look awesome for Alex's baptism (on April 20th).

On the faith spectrum, this week has been pretty enlightening. I'm at this Emerging church for the existing church conference in Denver and I have found out that we're doing a pretty good job of some of the things already. It's not just gimmicks, tricks, or rabbits pulled out of hats. It's about creating a culture that is responding to culture. I have felt that our church is doing a nice job of this stuff, but we've got some way to go as well. I hope that our session will take the lead in defining some of what we're about so that it is flexible, yet defined enough to grasp while we continue this journey together.

If there's anyone still reading this, give me a shout out, because I don't know who is reading this or not. Thanks!

Peace out...

It's my birthday...I'll blog if I want to!

Hi folks...it's been a long day, but not a birthday I will probably remember much. Guess that happens when you get older, eh?

Anyway, I wanted to share with you some big news...not that I turned 33 (don't let the sign fool you, I'm not THAT old yet!), but that I hit a big mark yesterday morning. That's right, I lost 40 lbs! that means this journey has taken me to another number. Like all good roads, one leads to another. So the 40 lbs lost means that I am now riding a new road...one that is under the 300 lb. mark!!!
After talking to Sarah, we figured out that it's been 5 years since I've been under this mark, so it's a pretty big deal. It is hard to remember a time when I was under this mark, but I'm happy to be here and ready to stay for life!

I can't say that I've worked out a lot recently, but staying on the healthy track of eating really helps. Also pushing the water is what helps me too. I can tell a difference when I haven't had my water as I feel bloaty and heavy. Drinking the water does make me feel fuller, but yet lighter.

Lastly, I would not be the fan that everyone knows that I am if I didn't throw in a little shout out to my Jayhawks! Congrats boys for making the Final four again! Go get Roy and his little boys. Just remember...Tyler H. is from Mizzouri...and you know what Jayhawks do to Mizzou kiddos...we stomp on them!!! Here's to the boys in blue, coach Self--who is 10 times better than Roy anyway, and the Jayhawks championship race in 2008! Much love from your biggest fan in the land of Lincoln!

Peace out...

Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

I just have to post today simply because my Jayhawks won the Big 12 Championship and this is a big day for us. We had the regular season trophy and the tourney win also--over TX of course!! Way to go hawks...

On the weight loss front, it seems that my clothes are getting bigger, but my weight hasn't changed. Maybe that's because I'm gaining muscle...yeah, right! Anyway, people keep telling me that I'm looking good..which my new response is: "what, didn't I look good before?" Evidently not. The problem is that I feel like I'm stalling out. I have been at this same place (35 lbs down) for a while and don't feel like I'm moving the scale much. I worked out hard on Friday so that I could jump start my system, but that didn't work either. I'm up for susggestions from anyone if you can help out with this plateau...

Thanks to the band, choir and Bob & Amber this week for a wonderful Palm/Passion Sunday. It was cool to see so many people in worship and having great experiences. For those of you taking the journey with Jesus this week toward the cross...and ultimately the empty tomb...I hope that your journey will be meangingful and spirit-filled.

Peace...

get some accountablilty!

Good evening bloggers...

Tonight I just read an article done by Duke Univ. that said people who are met monthly with a counselor (or I would add Dr., friend, partner, etc.) kept off their weight at a better rate than those who didn't. BIG NEWS! Gee, I don't know what study Duke U. is going to do next--(maybe how their basketball team could beat the Tarheels for me) but it seems this was kind of a waste of time and money. then again, it is DUKE!
Anyway, all this says is that if you're trying to lose weight have some accountability. For me, this blog site is part of it. Part of the accountability for me is having the congregation around too. They're always asking "how much have you lost?" If I don't keep the number going higher, they know!

the nicest compliment I got today was from my loving wife who said, "where did it go?" "Where did what go?" "Where did your butt go?" (thus the pic at the top of the page) Yeah, okay maybe my pants are a little baggy, but I'd rather have them that way than the alternative!! another lady told me I looked like a kid in school with my baggy pants. I told her I'd go out and buy some new plaid boxers to go with the attire!

As of today I've lost 33 pounds and Sarah and I are back on track. she's done really well too and is lower than she was before Anna's pregnancy 2 years ago! How many women can say they had three kids and they started losing weight after the last one? I just don't think it's supposed to go that way, but I'm proud of her.

Well, I thought I'd just say hi and blog again. Keep up the good work out there. I have seen many people in my church and those who read this who are joining the adventure of making 2008 a healthier year! God be with us all...especially when we drive by the buffet!

Comments

Hi folks, just want to let you know that I've had some complaints that people would like to leave a comment but they didn't want to go through all the steps of setting up a google account...so I've changed it up for you. Anyone can leave a comment...so do it! there's no excuse now!! thanks for reading and supporting!

Peace...