Craig Finnestad

Sex

2008-08-17T22:40:00.003-05:00

This morning's message was about developing a healthy world view on sexuality. It was a tough message to prepare for. Listen here.

Here are some of my notes:

Parents: It’s your responsibility to teach your children about sex.

You have heard the commandment that says, “You must not commit adultery.” But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. You must not covet your neighbor’s spouse. -Matthew 5:27-28

“The more we are filled with thoughts of lust the less we find true romantic love.” -Doug Horton

You must not commit adultery. -Exodus 20:14

Adultery is voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and another person who is not their spouse.

You must not covet your neighbor’s spouse. -Exodus 20:17

Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny. -Unknown

So if your eye - even your good eye - causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand - even your stronger hand - causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. -Matthew 5:29-30

What lust is not:

Appreciation of someone’s beauty

What lust is:

Uncontrolled and consuming sexual passion that is considered and committed in the mind

One of the most common questions I get as a pastor goes something like: “Why would God tell me not to do something if it is a) enjoyable and b) it doesn’t hurt anybody?” My reply always has something to do with the latter and not the former. God loves us and wants to protect us from harm. Often when we lust and cross inappropriate boundaries the victims are the people we love the most. And if that isn’t enough, the most likely victim is ourselves. -CF

As a child we play games and if things don’t go right, we call it a do-over. As adults, it is a gift from God and we simply call it grace. -CF

Friends

2008-08-16T10:22:00.000-05:00

I got up early this morning and had finished running 20 miles just before 8:00 a.m. It's interesting that 20 miles by myself is sometimes enjoyable as it can be reflective or peaceful. But it can be long and tedious as well. 20 miles with friends usually goes by pretty fast. I was joined by Todd, Chris, and Dave for the run this morning. We started at Peak Performance about 5:35 and finished 2 hours and 25 minutes later. Friends make the twenty mile journey more enjoyable. Friends make the journey of life more enjoyable as well.

A Dark Day in Omaha

2008-08-15T22:54:00.002-05:00

After my 8 mile, 5:30 a.m. run with Henryiard, I stopped at QuikTrip with 52 cents which for the last few months was the correct change for a 32 ounce Lemon-Lime Gatorade from their fountain. To my surprise, the 49 cent special is done. A 32 ounce drink now costs 89 cents. The money that I have been saving on gas in the last few weeks will now disappear at the soda fountain.

On the way to work, I stopped at another QuikTrip, just hoping the store manager at the other QuikTrip was having a bad morning, to get a mixture of 85% Diet Coke and 15% Lemonade. The price changed at that QuikTrip as well.

The 49 cent special is now history. A dark day indeed.

First Day of School

2008-08-13T22:38:00.003-05:00

I was talking to a person in the church who is sending their youngest child off to college next week. Definitely a transition for them and for the child. I spoke to a woman this morning whose youngest daughter started high school today. Another pretty big transition. As we dropped Benjamin off, I couldn't help but notice the families dropping off their children to Kindergarten. The PTA had tissue and coffee for the them. Big changes in the lives of these families. Transition can mean progress. Life will always change. And change isn't always bad, but it is always different.

Benjamin's first day of school wasn't one of the bigger transitions in life. He is in second grade now. He wasn't thrilled about going, but reported that the day "wasn't too bad." I'll miss having him around, playing with him, and taking him to the church. But he'll learn more about math, reading, and his favorite class -- science. He'll learn skills on socialization, music, art, and other things that second graders learn. Hopefully he will continue to realize that the world is a wonderful place with opportunities for him to love and serve and share. Life has changed again, but somehow I know that life won't only be different. It will be better.

Sex

2008-08-12T08:59:00.002-05:00

We start a new sermon series this weekend at The Water's Edge. It is a teaching on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, specifically chapter 5. Jesus talked about some of the most pressing issues of his day which happen to be some of the most pressing issues of our day: sex, integrity, relationships, and money. We start with the issue of sex this Sunday.

Frederick Buechner writes about sex:

Contrary to Mrs. Grundy, sex is not sin. Contrary to Hugh Hefner, it's not salvation either. Like nitroglycerin, it can be used either to blow up bridges or heal hearts.

At it's roots, the hunger for food is the hunger for survival. At its roots the hunger to know a person sexually is the hunger to know and be known by that person humanly. Food without nourishment doesn't fill the bill for long, and neither does sex without humanness.

One common view is that anything goes as long as nobody gets hurt. Sex is sinful to the degree that, instead of drawing you closer to other human beings in their humanness, it unites bodies but leaves the lives inside them hungrier and more alone than ever before. Who is to say who gets hurt and who doesn't get hurt, and how? Maybe the injuries are all internal. Maybe it will be years before the X-rays show anything. Maybe the only person who gets hurt is you.

Jesus was actually pretty soft on sexual misbehavior. Some of his best friends were hustlers. He saved the woman taken in adultery from stoning. He didn't tell the woman at the well that she ought to marry the man she was living with.

But he did have something to say about lust (Matthew 5:27-30, our text for this weekend) and he told the adulterous woman to go and sin no more. (Wishful Thinking, 107-109)

Sex is God's idea. Like many other things in life: it can be profane, ugly, and divisive or it can be beautiful, sacred, and holy.

We're Back

2008-08-11T17:36:00.005-05:00

We are back from vacation. I'm rested and ready to get back to work. Lots of highlights.

Rest. Just doing nothing with the two boys. Spending some time with Amber. We went on a few dates. One of them even ended up at Nebraska Furniture Mart.

I weeded and mulched our gardens.

I ran an 8K race in Iowa. Tough race. I got 4th behind a few college cross country runners. I was about a minute behind the winner and closing fast. :)

I preached at the first church I served out of seminary. It was great to see all our friends at Grace Church in Spencer. I hadn't been back for five years!

Amber and I went to my 20th class reunion at Laurens-Marathon High School. I think about 20 of us were there. Great to reconnect with old friends.

Benjamin and David got to spend some time with my mom. She does a good job of spoiling them.

I got lost running in Kansas City.

We spent a week at Table Rock Lake. Amber and David loved swimming and riding on the boat. Benjamin loved tubing and riding the wave runner.

We went to Silver Dollar City for a day. Cool place.

Thanks so much to Brad Krebs and Holly Baker for speaking for me when I was gone. Thanks to Mark and Lori Hauptman for letting us stay at their cabin in Missouri. Thanks to my intern, Cayla, for staying at our house for an extended period of time while we were gone. Thanks to all who prayed for us during this time.

Job's Wife

2008-07-06T14:40:00.000-05:00

Lessons from Job’s Wife: Thoughts on Suffering
Craig Finnestad and Vikki O’Hara – July 6th, 2008

Listen Here

Job’s wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong. –Job 2:9-10

There is a little bit of Job’s wife in all of us. We struggle when people we love struggle.

Pain is a reality of life. The goal of life should not be to avoid pain. A loftier ambition is to handle pain in a way that is healthy.

“The truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering the more you suffer because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you in proportion to your fear of being hurt.” –Thomas Merton

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. –John 16:33

When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words. –Job 2:11-13

Things NOT to do for somebody who is suffering

Don’t stay away because you don’t know what to say / do
Don’t talk too much and share similar experiences
Don’t give too much advice
Help people discover their own answers and wisdom
Don’t shut down healthy expressions of emotion: tears, fear, anger
Don’t make vague offers of help

Things to do for somebody who is suffering

Be present and remember that God is present
Com-fort – To come along side with strength
Com-passion – To suffer with
Be an active listener
“Try to listen carefully so you might not have to speak.”
-Quaker saying
Be caring, not curing
Be a non-judgmental presence
Ask what is needed and offer specific, coordinated help

The Holy Spirit, Part 2

2008-06-29T13:11:00.001-05:00

Listen to the message

The Holy Spirit: God at work in the world.

The Holy Spirit is able to think, speak, act—just as people do. But even greater than a person, the Holy Spirit is the dynamic presence of God Himself.

ACTIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. Draws us to Christ

God, because of His grace and through the Holy Spirit, brings us closer to Him, even when we do not know about Him. As God changes our hearts and moves in our lives, we are drawn to Him, so that we may know Him.

2. Causes us to be “born again” and gives us eternal life

Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.” –John 3:5-6

The Holy Spirit creates our new spiritual life, and we can be confident in this life. By the Spirit, we are able to know with certainty that we belong to Christ.

3. Creates a family likeness

As we behold Christ, we are transformed into the image of Christ. We live “from the inside out.” The same Holy Spirit is in all of us.

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. -2 Corinthians 3:17-19

4. Empowers us to share our faith

The only physical voice that Jesus has to speak to people is YOUR voice.“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…to the ends of the earth.” –Acts 1:8

5. Gives us spiritual gifts

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! –Galatians 5:22-23

6. Fills us with the love of God

We know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. –Romans 5:5

Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God. -Romans 8:39

6. Creates unity among believersMake every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. –Ephesians 4:3

Independence Day

2008-06-28T13:27:00.002-05:00

As we celebrate Independence Day on Friday I think it’s helpful to take a look at what we are celebrating, why we celebrate it, and where God fits in all this.

If your family is anything like mine, you will run in the local 5K race, rush home to get the kids in the neighborhood tricycle parade, have the in-laws for some BBQ, go swimming, hang out until it gets dark, and sit with our dog during the fireworks trying to convince her that the world is not coming to an end. Not much in there to reflect on why we get the day off.

I love history. Especially early American history. The passion of the people for independence and freedom is inspiring:

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry
I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country. -Nathan Hale
We must indeed all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately. -Benjamin Franklin
It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible. -George Washington

There seems to be a little difference between independence and freedom. Independence means that, for better or worse, you get to make the rules. The mistakes you get to live with are generally your own. Pre-Independence, the problem was “taxation without representation”. A few hundred years later, we still have taxes: gas taxes, income taxes, estate taxes, property taxes, sales taxes, etc. but instead of a king in London making the rules, a majority of citizens have decided that such taxes our best for our people. We know that independence isn’t always perfect, but it sure beats the alternative.

Freedom is a little different. Someone can be independent, but not free. The young adult in her early 20s may live by herself and be independent of her parents, but she is not necessarily free. She probably has some sort of debt, a boss, and a landlord. As a country, we may make our own rules, but because of nuclear weapons, disease, oil, etc., I’m not convinced we are totally free.

There is another sort of independence and freedom that matters ultimately and it is another sort altogether. It isn’t represented by a flag, but by a cross and a cup. The flag represents what allows us to worship what is represented by the cross and the cup, but at the end of the day the flag doesn’t offer the things that matter most: forgiveness and salvation.

Text: 2G2BT

2008-06-09T12:33:00.002-05:00

Listen Here

The Bible: 2 parts—Old Testament and New Testament

“Testament”—covenant

Old Testament: old covenant—story of ancient Israel
New Testament: new covenant—story of ancient Church

The Bible: Amazing and Complex!

Spans over 1500 years
Written by over 40 people who didn’t know each other
400 years of “nothing” between OT and NT, but the message of the Bible is maintained

Old Testament: Events Pointing to Jesus

1) Chronological story of events
2) Authorial commentaries on events

“Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. –Malachi 3:1

New Testament: Breaking the Silence
Promise of Jesus spoken to Mary
The angel told Mary, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name Him Jesus.” -Luke 1:31
And he will reign over Israel forever; His Kingdom will never end! -Luke 1:33

Prophecy of Jesus spoken by John the Baptist
John replied, “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’” –John 1:23
John saw Jesus…and said, “Behold! There is the Lamb of God!” –John 1:36

Understanding the Bible brings confidence in God’s promises

God was faithful to his promises in the Old Testament. We can live each day trusting that God will be faithful to fulfill the promises that he has made in the New Testament. With this confidence, we can be faithful to the instructions and the promises of Jesus.

The Bible: Redemption Story

The message of the Bible holds together throughout history and writings. The message is of our redemption. God became one of His own to win our affections, and God will come again to take away all sin, sorrow, sickness, and death.

Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. –Psalm 119:89

Forgiveness

2008-06-05T22:11:00.002-05:00

I was thinking about forgiveness recently. It is not likely that we are going to change other people. All we can really do is change our reaction to those people. Perhaps winning an intellectual argument becomes less important than letting go of feelings like anger and resentment. True joy and contentment do not come from other people. One person who is surrounded by people who love them can be totally lonely and unhappy. Another person who is physically alone can be fully content in life.

Forgiveness seems to be the issue. There are some things forgiveness is not. Forgiveness does not mean that we let people walk all over us. Forgiveness is not for the weak; it is for the strong. Forgiveness doesn't mean that we enable self-destructive behaviors. Sometimes letting people off the hook is the worst thing we can do for them and for us. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting. That is usually impossible and often not even very wise. Forgiveness is not conditional. True forgiveness isn't, "I'll forgive you if..." That sounds more like “for-earn-ness.” And, forgiveness does not mean that the relationship is fully restored or that it even continues. Forgiveness may or may not be a gift that the offending party embraces. Whether the forgiveness is accepted or not is generally out of the forgiver's control.

Forgiveness is God's gift to us -- the forgiver. It goes something like this: “You have offended me and / or you have hurt me. But, because I care about you and I care about me, I forgive you. I'm not going to let somebody else's mistake define who I am in the present or the future. Neither of us can change the past, but I / we can prepare for a better future.”

One more thing. Forgiveness is generally a process as opposed to a one-time event. Like most other wounds, emotional / relational healing takes time. I tell people that one of the most important choices that we make in life is this: Do we remember and resent or will we forgive and live?

Quotes on Humor

2008-06-04T22:15:00.001-05:00

Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it. -Bill Cosby

A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road. -Henry Ward Beecher

Humor is a rubber sword - it allows you to make a point without drawing blood. -Mary Hirsch

The kind of humor I like is the thing that makes me laugh for five seconds and think for ten minutes. -William Davis

Trek to the Top

2008-06-03T22:30:00.000-05:00

I recieved this picture of Mayor Fahey and me today. The was from The Water's Edge's third place showing at the Trek up the Tower in February. The climb up the First National Building is easily the most painful and grueling 6 minutes of the year.

Ding

2008-06-02T22:01:00.000-05:00

We started a new sermon series yesterday. Listen to yesterday's message here.

The Bible—an urgent text message

1) From God, someone who knows you because He created you
2) Always relevant, because it’s full of timeless truths and instructions

Just read it!

It’s not enough to hear someone else talk about it. You owe it to yourself to read it for yourself.

Incorporate the Word into your daily thoughts

Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. -Psalm 119:97

Wisdom: being able to anticipate what needs to happen in light of what might happen

Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. -Psalm 119:98

Insight: ability to relate unrelated things and to notice things that other people miss

Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. -Psalm 119:99

Obedience to God brings wisdom and insight

“To understand why, submit and apply”—to understand why God asks you to do something, do it.

I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. -Psalm 119:100

Decisions you make are shaped by what you know the Bible says
I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word. -Psalm 119:101

God personally teaches and communicates through His word

I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well. -Psalm 119:102

How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.
-Psalm 119:103

Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. -Psalm 119:104

God knows the circumstances of your life and directs you accordingly

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. -Psalm 119:105

Learning to Ride a Bike

2008-06-01T21:48:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite quotes is from T.S. Eliot: “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” If you have read my scribblings for any period of time, you know that Soren Kierkegaard is one of my favorite writers. He writes: “To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself.”

God has something to say on the subject as well. Three times in Joshua 1:6-9, God tells Joshua to “be strong and courageous.” Repetition is something God uses for emphasis. God tells Joshua to be courageous because God has a picture for Joshua’s life that is better than the life that Joshua is currently experiencing. And God wants Joshua to bring a bunch of people along with him to share this life of abundance.

Last Monday, my seven-year-old son, Benjamin and I decided to go ride our bikes. We were quite the odd couple. I had my Giant Triathlon bike and he had his little Schwinn with training wheels. He has never been interesting much in bicycling. But I asked him at the end of our little ride: Do you want to take off the training wheels? Much to my surprise he said, “Sure.”

We went across the street to the swimming pool and I started pushing him in the parking lot. At first I knew there was no way this was going to work. But he got better fast. I let him go a little bit at a time. Within minutes he was tearing around the parking lot on his own. He loves riding his little bike. He wouldn’t have experiencing this joy unless he risked falling.

One more thing. God told Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. For I’m with you wherever you go.” I was there with Benjamin, doing my best to make sure he succeeded and didn’t fall. I love him. It is the same with God and us. He is with us to prevent us from falling and to help us be successful.
Lessons discovered from Benjamin learning how to ride his bike:

1. Rewards in life come because risks are taken. Get on the bike.
2. Risks don’t have to be foolish. Consider using training wheels for a while.
3. Courage and risk isn’t a one-time choice. It is a lifestyle. It takes more than a day to learn to ride a bike.
4. Know that God is with you. You have somebody a whole lot better than a 38 year old pastor keeping you upright while you learn to pedal or do whatever else it is you are trying to do.

Almost Meeting Jesus Face to Face

2008-05-28T09:23:00.001-05:00

Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. -1 Corinthians 13:12-13.

Well...I almost knew everything completely this morning and saw Jesus face to face. This guy came flying out of his driveway this morning and was making a right hand turn on to F Street. He only looked to his left to see if anybody was coming. I was on his right. I don't know if it was my last minute prayer, God not being through with me yet, my muscle memory from my two races as a 3000 meter steeplechaser nearly 18 years ago in college, or just plain luck. Whatever it is, I'm just glad to be able to tell the story. My left achilles is a little sore from jumping over the driver's little sports car.

I'll live the rest of the day as a gift - probably should have been doing that anyway.

Random Thoughts

2008-05-26T11:38:00.000-05:00

Yesterday morning, I spoke about a bunch of different stuff God has been speaking to me recently. Listen here.

The following is my outline. Thanks to my intern Cayla for making this week's study guide. Great job with the quotes and Bible verses.

Patience

Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. -1 Peter 2:20

Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience.

Parenting

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. –Proverbs 22:6

The most important thing that parents can teach their children is how to get along without them. -Frank A. Clark

Marriage

In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives…In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. -1 Peter 3:1-2

For a marriage relationship to flourish, there must be intimacy. It takes an enormous amount of courage to say to your spouse, "This is me. I'm not proud of it in fact, I'm a little embarrassed by it -- but this is who I am."

Beauty

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. –Psalm 19:1-2

Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old. -Franz Kafka

Messiness

See Matthew 14:22-33

Life isn't like a book. Life isn't logical or sensible or orderly. Life is a mess most of the time. And theology must be lived in the midst of that mess.
-Charles Colton

Leaving a Legacy

…but we wanted to give you an example to follow. -2 Thessalonians 3:9

Our days are numbered. One of the primary goals in our lives should be to prepare for our last day. The legacy we leave is not just in our possessions, but in the quality of our lives. What preparations should we be making now? The greatest waste in all of our earth, which cannot be recycled or reclaimed, is our waste of the time that God has given us each day. –Billy Graham

Benjamin's Birthday

2008-05-25T22:45:00.000-05:00

Benjamin turned 7 today. We celebrated with an afternoon at the pool and then went to eat and play games at The Amazing Pizza Machine.

Chad Lowe

2008-05-24T23:14:00.000-05:00

As of tomorrow, Amber and I will be married 12 years. It's also Benjamin's 7th birthday tomorrow, so we generally celebrate the night before. We went to the Gusto Cuban Cafe for dinner. Our waitress was convinced that I either a) was Chad Lowe or that b) I was a dead ringer for Chad Lowe. I don't know. I can't really see it. Maybe I could see where we look like second cousins or something.

Anyway, the food was excellent and the company was pretty good too. Happy Anniversary Amber.

Fox 42 News

2008-05-22T22:31:00.001-05:00

I was interviewed on the Channel 42 News tonight. The best quote was from Tom Becka, "It's kinda cool telling people you are a minister." Here it is...

Lessons from Club Penguin

2008-05-21T11:49:00.001-05:00

My six year old son loves Club Penguin. Chances are that you don't know what Club Penguin is. Maybe you do, after a little research (trying to be a responsible parent), this thing is a cash cow for Disney. Millions of people, probably most kids, play Club Penguin.

We have spent hours solving cases, rescuing puffles, and building his igloo. We've had lots of fun exploring. Here is what I have learned and observed from Club Penguin:

Creativity and imagination open doors most people never even dreamed existed.
Excellence and attention to detail reap great rewards.
Six-year-olds are smart.
Good decision making skills and problem solving skills will get you a long way in life.
Never stop exploring.
Spending time with kids helping them do something they love is a great thing.

Waddle on!

We are Moving this Summer

2008-05-19T11:37:00.001-05:00

We are moving again! At least for the summer.

We started off worshipping at Russell Middle School on September 10th, 2006. During the first year we more than doubled in size from about 110 worshippers to around 250 worshippers. We outgrew the space at Russell Middle School and moved to Millard West on September 16th, 2007. Again, we have steadily grown in our time here at Millard West. In recent weeks our worship attendance has been about 325 people per week. It has been a great joy to see existing people grow in the relationship with God and with others. It has been equally exciting to see new people worshipping with us, getting connected, and being enthusiastic about church.

I am surrounded by an outstanding group of leaders who are as committed to this ministry as I am. We have hundreds of volunteers who give so much time and energy to serving at The Water’s Edge. Over 150 people, on a weekly basis, are committing to growing as a follower of Christ by being part of a small group. We have recently implemented some new strategies and initiatives that are going to position us for more growth in the future. We now have two adult volunteer coordinators and two volunteer coordinators for our kid’s ministry. We are in the process of developing a more comprehensive strategy to follow up with our guests. Other things are in the works as well. If anybody would have told me 20 months ago, when we launched worship that we would be this far along, I would have told them that they were crazy. We are way ahead of schedule and I am so excited about the possibilities that the future holds for all of us.

One of the curveballs that was recently thrown at us is that Millard West will be remodeling much of their first floor this summer. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to worship at this location this summer. Russell will not be available this summer because of renovations that will be happening at that school as well. Both of these schools and the Millard Public Schools have been so welcoming and hospitable to us and we are so grateful for them. We look forward to returning to Millard West in August.

Starting on June 8th, we will be worshipping at Skutt High School for a few months. We had a team of people who unanimously chose Skutt as our summer location for a number of reasons. Mainly the look and feel of the worship experience and kid’s ministry will almost be exactly the same as it is here at Millard West.

Last summer we did something amazing for a worship service in the summer: we grew. With God’s help, I think we can do it again this summer.

Toxic Co-Workers

2008-05-18T21:28:00.000-05:00

I concluded the our most recent series: Handling Toxic People. You can listen to the sermon on Handling Toxic Co-Workers here.

A toxic co-worker makes me feel worse about myself with every interaction.

Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose speech is corrupt. These people turn from right ways to walk down dark and evil paths. They rejoice in doing wrong, and they enjoy evil as it turns things upside down. What they do is crooked, and their ways are wrong. -Proverbs 2:12-19

Happy is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding. For the profit of wisdom is better than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly. -Proverbs 3:13-18

Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer. -Proverbs 9:11-12

Wisdom at work requires me to recognize the bigger issues

1. I can’t control other people
2. I can’t force others to change
3. Imperfect people sin and cause damage

Ask for God’s Wisdom

Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! If you prize wisdom, she will exalt you. Embrace her and she will honor you.
-Proverbs 4:7-8

Avoid the toxic “open doors”

Do not do as the wicked do or follow the path of evildoers. Avoid their haunts. Turn away and go somewhere else, for evil people cannot sleep until they have done their evil deed for the day. They cannot rest unless they have caused someone to stumble. -Proverbs 4:14-16My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! -Proverbs 1:10

Use words that build up

The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives. -Proverbs 12:6

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.
-Proverbs 15:1

When arguing with fools, don't answer their foolish arguments, or you will become as foolish as they are. -Proverbs 26:4

Zoo

2008-05-15T22:02:00.002-05:00

Today was spent at the Omaha Zoo with Benjamin's first grade class. It was an absolutely perfect day: sunny, warm in the sun, cool in the shade, and a light breeze. Look how alert and excited the boys are at the begining of the day.

The boys enjoyed throwing water on me and each other.

The Flamingos enjoying the sun on the roof.

The kids got really tired by the end of the day.

Discipline

2008-05-14T21:29:00.001-05:00

My training partner, Christy, introduced me to today's workout about a year ago. If I did it regularly, I would either be really fast or really hurt. It is pretty tough going--especially the faster 400s at the end.

5 miles continuous running. 400 meters at 5K race pace (80 seconds) followed by 400 meters at marathon race pace (95 seconds). Repeat 10 times with no rest. The workout doesn't last long, less than a half hour, but it is the beast.

I think of Hebrews 12:11 - No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Discipline makes the runner perform better. For bigger, more important areas of life, discipline, like in running, is not easy, but it has many rewards. I once read that discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.

Discipline helps us grow closer to God and closer to those most important to us.
Discipline helps us take care of daily task and functions that will make our lives much easier and more simple.
Discipline will help us achieve our dreams.

David getting some disciplined rest.