Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.

Psalm 59:9 (NLT)

You, O God, are my place of safety...

Goals, Desires, Wishes and Dreams for Myself

be wise
be joyful
encourage others
to be a self-less person
be a good wife
* be a supportive wife
* be a submissive wife (I try to lead too much)
* be a help to Tim
* be a good daughter-in-law
* be a support to Diann
to raise Mac to love Jesus and be a disciplined follower of Him
be a healthy disciple
* spiritually
o have a structured "quiet time"
o memorize scripture
o fast (and pray) regularly
o be a good example/witness to friends and family
o know God's Word, well
o know Bible History better
o practice the spiritual disciplines well
o refine and use my talents: especailly singing and playing keyboard
* physically
o live simply
o eat healthy
o learn to prepare 10 excellent meals
* mentally
o read more books
o learn to remember peoples names
* emotionally
o think before I speak
o complain less

New Reality Number Four

Ok. I'm still reading The Present Future by Reggie McNeal. It is very challenging! Today I read chapter four. Here's what I learned:

"The kingdom is people... Helping people develop emotionally, physically, and relationally is all spiritual... Spiritual formation includes personal spiritual disciplines, but it also includes the stewardship of our relationships, our work, and our life mission." (pg. 73)

What if we handled Christians like fitness club members. Let me explain:

"Instead of dumping a packet of church club member stuff on them, why not interview them about what they would like to see happen in their lives in terms of their spiriutal development and personal growth?... Once a life coach or spiritual development coach completed this interview, they could then fashion a customized personal growth stragegy for the person or family... This could be done for each family member." (pg. 76)

How cool would that be. The book also encouraged the life/spiritual development coach to get together with the family every month and check on their progress. "Instead of signaling to them that they are there to find their way into church stuff and make the church successful, the focus is completely turned around. The church treats them as a market of one, convincing them that the church is there to help them develop an abundant life promised to them by Jesus." (pg. 77)

"Evangelism that will introduce Jesus to this culture will flow from people who are deeply in love with Jesus." (pg. 82)

May our topic be: life. And may we create an environment that helps people develop.

Jesus is the answer
for the world today.
Above Him there's no other.
Jesus is the way.

Awesome Wedding + Silly String = Good Times

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Originally uploaded by Tim Morgan.

Score another mark for the church 20-something hook-up ministry, er... I mean Bridge ministry. :-) Dale and Lindsay exchanged vows this past weekend, while us geeks were in the sound booth trying frantically to keep up with the bam-bam-bam pace of the media elements Dale & Lindsay chose. It was a lot of fun. And the reception, while Jennie and I wisely chose not to embarrass ourselves by dancing, was loads of fun. The element to remember was the moment the entire wedding party aimed their 20 or so cans of silly string at the bride and groom slow dancing, and over the next 30-45 seconds, covered them in gooey, slimy stuff.

More pics here.

VA Peeps

Jennie and I had some house guests this weekend. Scott and Sarah, friends of Dale Best from Virginia, stayed with us for a few nights. It was so very neat to hear about their struggles and passions regarding worship and church in general. And the fact that their journey wasn't so different from our own.

I had it in my mind that living in the middle of the US somehow automatically makes us a little behind, and that may be true, but it seems Jennie and I aren't so backwards after all. But then again, maybe I should ask Scott and Sarah what they think... :-)

Timothy Lange

Check out these awesome paintings by our friend Tim Lange.

http://members.cox.net/zoolange/availableworks.htm