Tweeting the Memories

I'm tweeting some of my memories from 2010 over on my Twitter account.

www.twitter.com/derryprenkert

60 Days of Beauty: Day 31- Responding to the Call

We sat together yesterday and he explained an 18 month wrestle with God.  He was ready to respond.  December 30, 2010 he was submitting to a call to be a Missionary.  He was moving forward in this call until God clearly shut the door on him.  I sat with him, as a witness, as he prayed and made this commitment to God.

A beautiful milestone... a stake in the ground, shared with a student I believe is going to have major Kingdom impact.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 30 - Heaven Rejoices

The first night of the Retreat, he said, "I'm not totally sure where I am, but I know at this point, I'm heading to hell.  I want to get this all figured out."

Last night, as we were singing together, he grabbed our speaker and left the room.

He prayed to receive Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
After worship, our speaker had him share what he'd done.
2 more gals then responded and prayed to receive Christ.

Is there anything more beautiful than a person responded to the grace of God found in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Luke 15:7

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

*Editorial Note:  I find it quite beautiful that the moment of beauty at the Halfway point of the 60 Days of Beauty Project for me is centered on salvation through the cross.  It is the central message to all my life, and the central beautiful moment in the history of mankind.

Winter Retreat Report: Day 3

Tonight, Caleb started his message saying, "Derry told me the last night of this retreat is usually cry night.  Not with me.  Tonight is 'fight night'."

As Caleb has walked us through the marks and characteristics of an Unusual Soldier, he has broken things down to say.

PASSION is something that many Christian have.

VISION is something that some Christians have.

COURAGE is something that few Christians have.

Tonight, we talked courage.  Out of the story of Caleb and Joshua in Numbers 13 and 14 where they had the courage to face the giants in the land God had given the Israelites.

Caleb identified 4 giants we will often face when God has given us a Vision:

1. Failure.
2. Losing your reputation.
3. Excuses.
4. Death.

These giants are nothing compared to the strength we can find in the Holy Spirit who resides in us.  We closed our time by allowing students to stand one by one and identify the giant in their life they'd be willing to face.  It was a powerful closing time as students took courageous steps to say that they will let the one who is in them win out over the one who is in the world.

Winter Retreat Pics: Day 2

Senior High Winter Retreat Day 2

We have a four-fold purpose to our Camps/Retreats:

1. Get Away: Hit the pause button on all the stuff happening at home/school/socially and simply step away.  This is a major reason why we ask students to leave the cell phones at home.
2. Connect with Each Other: It's exciting to watch new friendships form through our time together.
3. Allow God to Change Us: Wherever we're at, we hope to see every student allow God to show us that next step in the journey with Him.
4. Have a ton of fun: We want to create memories, laugh, and have as much fun as is legally possible!

Yesterday I saw all these purposes taking place through our various activities.

Our morning was spent in Time Alone With God (TAWG) where students had the opportunity to read scripture about what Intimacy with God looks like.  They also were able to work on their PVC pipe (read this post for more info on that).

We then went into a time of youth Group sharing.  Our morning session does not feature our speaker.  Instead it features our students sharing what God has been doing and what God wants to do in their life.  We simply circle the students up and ask them if they'd be willing to share.  It was a powerful time of praise, singing, prayers, tears and laughter.  God was with us as we connected with each other and were challenged through each other's stories.

The afternoon was a virtual cornucopia of activities. Tubing, horseback riding, swimming, table games, knockout, broomball, and just sitting around the fire talking were all ways students were able to connect with each other.

In our evening session, Caleb focused in on Vision, and more specifically God-given vision.  He talked about three ways God has given him Vision for what He wants Caleb to do.

Impressions:  That strange picture, thought, name, place or moment where it seems God is speaking.
Whispers:  Those moments where the still small voice of God tells us to do or not do something.
Burdens:  The things that keep us up at night because we care or hurt so much.

We closed our time with an exercise of simply giving the Holy Spirit to speak to individuals and give them His Vision for their lives.  God did speak to many in simple and profound ways.  Some dealt with sin struggles.  Some wrestled through life callings.  It was a great time.

We finished our evening all together on the tubing hill having a blast.

Looking forward to another great day that is focused on COURAGE!

Keep Praying. God has been good.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 29 - Fire

 

It's warm.

It's comfortable.

It's mesmerizing to stare at.

Great conversations tend to happen around one.

A good campfire or fireplace is always a thing of beauty.

Winter Retreat Pics: Day 1

Senior High TAWG

Each night, Caleb is walking us through one of three key attributes of a person who is passionately pursuing Christ (what Caleb has called an Unusual Soldier).  Those three qualities are Passion, Vision and Courage.

Each student has received a small piece of PVC pipe.  Every morning during our Time Alone With God (TAWG), the students will take time to reflect on what struck them from the previous night's message.  On their PVC pipe, they will write or draw that lesson, thought or scripture. The PVC will serve as a take home reminder of the lessons learned on Passion, Vision and Courage (see the PVC)?

Based on this morning's sharing from students on what they learned about Passion, I'm very excited about what lies ahead tonight and the rest of our time!

60 Days of Beauty: Day 28 - Brutal Honesty

At the close of the session, the speaker asked, "So where are some of you at."

The boy stood, and with not a sense of anger or frustration, or to seek attention, said, "I'm not totally sure where I am, but I know at this point, I'm heading to hell.  I want to get this all figured out."

Another stood and said, "This is all so new to me.  I know I'm not a Christian, but I'm asking a lot of questions."

Honesty.  Transparency.  It's refreshing to see, and heartbreaking.

Heartbreaking, but hopeful, beautiful,brutal honesty.

Winter Retreat Update

As the lights go out on Day one of the Winter Retreat, I'm smiling big.  We had a fairly crazy trip to get here.  From our Senior High Speaker dealing with flight delays to a mechanical issue with on of our church buses (which caused us to cram people on to the other 3), we kind of had the feeling we're in for some good times of God moving... it just seemed like the enemy was working overtime to get in the way.

I was in with our Senior High as Jonathan Seller and Jordan Pearson led us in worship, and Caleb Bislow shared a message called "The Inner Circle".  It was a challenge toward passionate living for Christ.  The challenge was clear and powerful as Caleb painted the picture of the difference of three Circles in how we live for Christ.

Outer Circle:  Inheritance - where we simply choose Christianity for it's benefits (getting out of hell).

Middle Circle:  Infatuation - where Christianity is about a spiritual high or feelings.

Inner Circle:  Intimacy - where Christianity is about loving and knowing God personally and growing in a love relationship with Him.

God was speaking across the board to students.

Reports from Chris are that it was a great first night in Jr High as Jessica Noelle led in worship and Sarah Lawrence spoke.

Our night activity included tubing for the Junior High and "Tube Wars" for the Senior High.  Tube Wars is something that can only be witnessed to be understood.

Here's some ways to be praying:

• God is stirring.  Pray His will be done.
• There are many students here who don't know Christ.  Pray for open doors in sessions and in conversations for opportunities to show and tell salvation clearly.
• This time of year has sickness all around.  Pray health over us all.
• Pray for our speakers and Worship leaders by Name
• Jessica Noelle - Junior High Worship
• Sarah Lawrence - Junior High Speaker
• Jonathan Seller and Jordan Pearson - Sr High Worship
• Caleb Bislow - Sr High Speaker

• The leaders who are working with our students.
• The Spring Hill staff who serve us so well.

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 27 - 'Twas the Night Before Winter Retreat

First off, this blog is going to have some added posts over the next four days.  There are approximately 180 NMC and New Life Fellowship (Sister church in Lagrange) Jr and Sr High students heading to Spring Hill Camp in Evart, MI for our Winter Retreat.  I will be posting several updates with reports, photos, and prayer requests while there till December 30. I will continue the the 60 Days of Beauty journey while there.

The eve of a youth trip tends to have several things involved.

• Last minute calls from parents/students for a variety of reasons.
• Some level of panic over something that hasn't gone as planned in trip preperation.
• Packing.
• Finishing up details that result in a level of exhaustion leading into a trip that will make me exhausted.
• Explaining to Katylynn where Daddy will be for the next few days (this one's a little newer, still learning the ropes here).

Yesterday's activities were comparatively stress free and filled with some great moments.

• A little extra sleep due to different service schedule.
• A great morning of worship and challenge at church.
• 5 games of Settlers of Catan with Janelle (I currently lead the series 3-2).
• Lots of snuggling with Katylynn.
• A great bedtime for Katylynn with singing, reading, and prayer.
• A Colts win.

All in all, a relaxing, fun and enjoyable day to prepare for an intense four days of ministry to some amazing students.

A day that I would consider a beautiful gift from God.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 26 - Family Welcoming Family

We spent Christmas day at my mom's house.  It was a great time of eating, decorating cookies, Settler of Catan, getting crushed on Wii Sports by my Nephew, and ultimately celebrating our Savior's birth.

As is a big part of any Christmas Celebration, we had a time of exchanging gifts.  The moment of beauty came when we started dividing up the presents.  Instead of three stacks of gifts for my family, there were 4.  Our little guy who is still halfway around the world received gifts from his aunts and uncles and Grandma.  To see that my family has already welcomed our son into the family despite the 7655 mile separation meant the world to Janelle and I. 

I'm grateful for a colorblind family who welcomes and loves son.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 25 - Messy Beautiful

Unmarried couple.

Woman on the verge of birth.
Man pledged to marry, but not the biological father.

Nobody had room for them in his home town.

Relegated to stay the night with livestock.

Labor.

Illegitimate child born.

Resting in a feeding trough.

Savior.

Messiah.

Glory to God.  

Peace on Earth.

Beautiful.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 24 - A "New" Devotional

Last night we had our Wisler family Christmas.  It was our 1st Christmas without the patriarch or matriarch.  It was a special time of sharing and remembering.  There was a collection of my Grandma and Grandpa's items that had been held back from the estate sale.  We were welcome to look through and take home any items especially meaningful to us.  I grabbed 2 items.  One was a horn that I loved to play with as a kid.  The second was my thing of beauty from yesterday.  

The devotional book belonged to my Grandma. In it are earmarked pages, hilighted or underlined text, notes written in the margins, and the occasional inserted prayer or personal thought.  I greatly look forward to a 2011 spent reading from the devotional classic made even more classic made even more classic by my prayer-warrior Grandma.

The Reality of Child Trafficking

There are some pretty amazing organizations out there seeking to put an end to modern day slavery.  Love146 is one that has always gripped me because of the story how they got their name.  Watch this, and try not to be moved to action.


Love146 History from LOVE146 on Vimeo.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 23 - Just the 2 of Us

My wife is beautiful. Let me give you 10, G-Rated beautiful things about my wife.

1. Her eyes.
2. Her smile.
3. Her love for Jesus.
4. The way she mothers.
5. Her laugh.
6. Her loyalty.
7. Her investments in people.
8. Her encouraging nature.
9. Her willingness to work on her weaknesses and struggles.
10. Her husband (totally joking)... Her compassion.

So, yesterday was a family Christmas on her side.  That means a 90 minute drive to Fort Wayne.  Last night's 90 minute drive home had Katylynn asleep by the  first 2 minutes.  This allowed for 88 minutes of a drive, just Janelle and I talking.  It was a great time of sharing with the most beautiful woman in the world.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 22 - Trust

In a discussion today with a friend who is taking a huge step in his life, but trusting God in the midst of it all, this scripture came up.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5&6

A beautiful and confounding reminder of the role of trust in discovering God's will.

Santa Went Down to Georgia: Northpoint Church

From the same creative team that brought you the Iband

60 Days of Beauty: Day 21 - A Tough One; Thank God for Two

Yesterday, nothing really rose to the top for me.  In fact, I had to deal with a lot of situations that I'd be much more quick to label "ugly."

• One of our students in the hospital very sick.
• Some follow up to situations inside our ministry causing potential frustration to parents.
• A crisis counseling phone call.
• Working through some tough programming calls where it's hard to create a win.

Just not a very fun day.   I went home from work happy to have the day behind me.  It wasn't till nodding off to sleep that I realized where the beauty rested in the midst of today.  In every situation above, I was able to talk with or work alongside one of my teammates at NMC.  In all the situations, I was blessed to be able to not be working alone.

Being a part of a team is a beautiful thing.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 20 - Stayin' Alive

The majority of Sunday afternoons from September through January are spent on my couch with my Marvin Harrison Jersey (I miss him) and wrapped in my Colts fleece blanket.  I am what you would call a Colts fan.

For the past ten years, this time of year has been spent worrying about Indy securing home field through the playoffs or wondering if they are going to bench their starters or try to go for the undefeated season.  Not so this year.  My team is playing weekly for their playoffs life.  Yesterday's matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars was HUGE.  A loss and no playoffs.  A win, and still alive.

So, big win yesterday. 2 more wins (or just keep the same record as the Jags), and on to the playoffs once again.

A beautiful win yesterday.

A Break in the Beauty

It has come to my attention that some people who shall remain nameless only come to my blog to see videos and/or hope to get a good laugh.  To those people (or I say that person), I give you a post that you can simply return to again and again.

I give you a chimpanzee washing a cat:


**This post is dedicated to my mentor and friend Terry Bley, who has had as great a spiritual impact on me as anyone.

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 19 - Moe's & a Movie

Homewrecker Steak Burrito, chips & Queso, and a Diet Coke at Moe's

Steve Carrell's voice and Computer Animation at the Dollar theater.

The two most beautiful ladies in the world.

A Beautiful Saturday afternoon combination.

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 18 - Email Granted

Yesterday we received an email update on our matching grant we have qualified for through Lifesong.  It was a beautiful email.  Long story short, we have receveived more than enough of the needed $2000 to receive the matching amount from Lifesong.

God's blessing through God's People is a thing of beauty.

You can read more about the update on Janelle's blog.

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 17 - 24 year old Parents of Teens

Every Thursday at approximately 5:30, they gather at Kory and Ali's table for Dinner.  There's 10 of them total, ranging from age 11-17.  They are from a variety of home life situations.  Most of those situations, by my standards, would be labeled "broken" or at the very least "unstable."  Their stories would break your heart.

After the meal prayer, they dive in.  There's a lot more hot sauce and ranch dressing used on food items than I would ever use.  There's talk about musical artists I'm very unfamiliar with.  There's slang words and other jargon used that is close to a foreign language to me.

After a few minutes, Ali, a petite, sweetheart of a  24 year old Michigander, speaks up, not loudly, but in a clearly authoritative voice that commands the attention of the group.  "Okay, each of us is going to go around and share our plans for Christmas.  Also, if you have any kind of tradition you do with your family on Christmas, share that."

They begin around the table and share.  As one cracks a joke and the group laughs, the conversation and focus begins to trail, Kory or Ali speak up and ask the kids to listen and show respect as each other share.  The kids listen.

After the meal, they all ask to be excused from the table. We head over to the family room and begin "Real Talk."  Kory, the 24 year old stud athlete who grew up on the lake, kicks it off by giving an update on one of the members missing from the group who is currently in a juvenile hall.  He shares about his visit with her the previous day.  His eyes are filled with compassion and hurt for this girl, who is there primarily because a family member wouldn't step up and care for her in a time of crisis.  He reminds the kids that she is a part of their group.  She needs their support.  She needs them to stick up for her when others at school choose to badmouth her.  The kids are clearly hurting for her as well.

Kory then hands it over to Janelle and I.  We are there to talk to them about light and darkness.  More specifically, we are there to talk about the weapons that are used in Spiritual Warfare.  It's a blessed time where we talk through the lies of Satan.  They are interested... asking questions... hungry for the truth.  

We laugh, we cry, we encourage each other.  

Janelle and my Thursday Night spent with the Iron Sharpens Iron (ISI) group in the Keller Park Neighborhood was a thing of beauty.

It was beautiful to see Kory and Ali in their element.

It was beautiful to see the progress they are making for the sake of the Kingdom.

It was a beautiful sight to see two 24 year-olds who, for all practical purposes, have become the parents ten kids ages 11-17.

Read more about the Transformation, a ministry to the Keller Park Neighborhood on Kory and Ali's blog.

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 16 - Light bulbs

Yesterday I sat with a couple who are blazing a trail in youth ministry in a tough area.  The opportunities are endless and the burden runs deep for them.  I sat with another girzzled veteran in Youth Ministries to serve a sounding board and offer counsel.  As we shared stories, burdens, and ideas... that beautiful moment came.

After that meeting I sat with some of our leadership team for our IMPACT team to the Dominican Republic.  As we were walking through and brainstorming the training process... the beautiful moment happened.

Last night I had the opportunity to share with our Senior High students about the differences between Integrity and Hypocrisy.  A major frustration I have on this topic is the unfair labeling we will give to hypocrisy.  As I walked through the reality that, if we truly hold to the truth of the bible, imperfection cannot equal hypocrisy in Christianity... I saw the beautiful moment take place in a student in the crowd.

After church last night, I went into our office I saw our Preteen intern and asked how the night went. For the final night of the Semester, each Preteen Workshop shares a report on what they have been learning and doing. As she explained how the night wen... the beautiful moment happened.

"What is that beautiful moment," you may ask?  It's the moment where a thought, idea, or reality settles deep into a person's heart or mind.  It settles in so deep that that person's face cannot mask the revelation that has happened.  The persons countenance and expression light up.  It's almost light a sparkle hits the person's eyes.  I call it the Light bulb moment.

When I take time to question why God has placed me on this earth, I believe one major reason is to help creat light bulb moments in those around me.

When I see those light bulb moments happen, it is beautiful.

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 15 - An Average Day

Yesterday was a very average Tuesday for me.  I did what I often do on Tuesdays...

• Youth Staff Meeting followed by the larger staff meeting.
• Lunch with a fellow Youth Pastor to give some insight on an upcoming series.
• Afternoon contacts with staff members where we looked back on the past year, and looked ahead.
• A few phone calls to parents.
• Several texts and Facebook conversations with students.
• Dinner at home with my family.
• Putting Katylynn to bed.
• Evening in the family room with Janelle.

It was an average day, and I loved every minute of it.

Thank you God for the beautiful blessing of a life where I can find so much joy in a very average day.

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 14 - Beautiful Prayers for a Beautiful Boy

Last Night, when we were praying, I asked Katylynn if there was anything she wanted to ask Jesus to help her little brother with.  Her first response, "Help him be strong."

We received an email update yesterday on his situation and development.  He has grown a lot, and is no longer suffering from malnourishment.  He's being well cared for.  He's even started walking!

Beautiful.

Last night, I asked Katylynn if there was anything else she wanted to ask Jesus to help him with.  Her second response, "Help get him here."

Beautifully stated kid.

Beautifully stated.

One More Beauty Reject

Consider this our Digital Christmas Card:

Beauty Rejects

Two  that I found oddly beautiful over the past week, but they just didn't make the cut:

From the Northpoint Church, it's the Christmas Iband




From Fox Sports, this is sad in the structural damage, but so fascinating to see the Metrodome collapse from the snow.

If you live in the Detroit area, tickets are free for the game tonight.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 13 - IMPACT

At NMC Student Ministries, our Summer Missions trip application process is a fairly tedious process.  A significant part of that process took place yesterday.  We had our interviews.  The interview process includes both parents and students.  From 1-6 yesterday, I watched the process unfold as our 3 staff and 6 leaders of this year's trip to the Dominican Republic walked students & parents through the commitment and asked questions to gauge each students emotional, physical and spiritual readiness.

As I said, the process is a bit tedious.  Some have told us it's overkill.  Yet, I look at how we've been able to trasfrom IMPACT (as we call this) from a trip to a discipleship/life experience, and I know we've found something beautiful.  Hundreds of students have stepped beyond simply going on a short term missions trip and feeling good about themselves for performing a duty.  In fact, as I was driving about 10 miles an hour home from the church, faces and names of those who took part in the IMPACT process began to run through my head.  It was a  long line of now teachers, doctors, nurses, pastors, pastors' spouses, missionaries, and many other occupations who are now serving Jesus with a global and missionary mindset.

That 8 minute drive (usually about 4, thanks snow for the extra memories) was beautiful drive!

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 12 - Family; Oceans Apart.

• When we sing "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands,"  she dedicates a verse to him.
• When she prays before meals, she says, "Jesus, Thank you for the food, and Mommy, and Daddy, and (her little bro's name)."
• She has a picture of him in her room.  When I ask her who he is, she says, "That's my baby brother ________.  I'm going to be a good big sister."

He may be halfway around the world, 

but he's a part of our family.

She confirms it.

Beautiful.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 11 - Something Beautiful

I listened to this song about 5 times in my car yesterday. I believe it shall serve as my theme song for 60 Days of Beauty.

In your ocean, I'm ankle deep

I feel the waves crashin' on my feet

It's like I know where I need to be

But I can't figure out, yeah I can't figure out

Just how much air I will need to breathe

When your tide rushes over me

There's only one way to figure out

Will you let me drown, will you let me drown?

Hey now, this is my desire

Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful

To touch me, I know that I'm in reach

'Cause I am down on my knees.

I'm waiting for something beautiful

Oh, something beautiful

And the water is rising quick

And for years I was scared of it

We can't be sure when it will subside

So I won't leave your side, no I can't leave your side.

Hey now, this is my desire

Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful

To touch me, I know that I'm in reach

'Cause I am down on my knees.

I'm waiting for something beautiful

Oh, something beautiful

In a daydream, I couldn't live like this.

I wouldn't stop until I found something beautiful.

When I wake up, I know I will have

No, I still won't have what I need.

Something Beautiful

Hey now this is my desire

Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful

To touch me, I know that I'm in reach

Cause I am down on my knees

I'm waiting for something beautiful

Oh, something beautiful

Music and lyrics by Needtobreathe

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 10 - Partnerships Again

Last night Janelle and I sat down to watch a DVD we received from Caleb Bislow and his ministry Unusual Soldiers.  It was a year-end report on the ministry that has been taking place worldwide through his organization.  There were too many powerful and moving moments we experienced as we watched his report for me to recount in a blog post.  Caleb's story is one of dark, dangerous and despised beauty. God has placed a unique calling on his life to take the message of Christ to places many Christians would run from.

So, the DVD report was a moment of beauty in itself.  What was more beautiful to me was all that the report personally means to me.

Caleb and my friendship runs back to college.  Over the past 5 years, a unique partnership has grown with us.  I often feel I play a Barnabas role to this Paul.  This has been a beautiful partnership in my life as I feel God has allowed me to serve as an encouragement, prayer warrior, advocate, and ally for Caleb and Unusual Soldiers.

To take it a step further (as it seems each day has been doing), I went over to Caleb's blog last night and read a very cool post.  Many tend to question Caleb's actions when he has a wife and 2 (3rd will be here in February) kids he is leaving behind.  It's a legitimate question.  I have learned that there is a beautiful partnership that God has created between Caleb and his wife, Jessica.  In this post on Caleb's blog, you have the rare opportunity to hear from Jessica concerning her thoughts on the topic. Here's a small excerpt, but go to his blog for the full response from Jessica.

Being married to an "unusual soldier" is quite the adventure.  Caleb is a man called to dark, dangerous, despised places that most people would like to avoid.  Sometimes there are elements of danger or uncertainty to the "missions" he goes out on.  Long ago (about 11 years) in college I knew that there was a different beat to his heart and some of that scared me...even to the point of tears.  At that point when we were dating I had to completely surrender my fear and Caleb to the Lord.  I mean the kind of surrender that you can't change your mind and take back. 

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 9c - A Beautiful Partnership

Last night we had a special guest join us.  Satyendra is a key leader of Little Flock Fellowship in Northeast India.  This group of believers has multiple churches, ministries, and evangelistic efforts in Northeast India and neighboring countries.  They inspire and challenge me in their radical faith which is lived out humbly.  As a part of last year's Kids In Need initiative we were able to get a decent amount of resources to Little Flock for them to use as the Lord leads.

Satyendra's presence with us was an opportunity to share the progress, and the progress was exciting.

• Education Programs started.
• Starving Children Fed.
• The gospel shared with many children.
• Work with Nepali children at risk of Trafficking.

It was a report of the longer lasting terms of last school years efforts.  It was a report of the power of partnership between students in the U.S. and unassuming spiritual giants halfway around the world.

Partnership for the sake of the Kingdom is a beautiful collaboration in action!

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 9b - Doing Battle

Last night our students heard a report from Kory Lantz concerning the work taking place through KP Transformation.  Through our Kids In Need initiative last year and our focus on Teens in Crisis this year, we are seeking to partner with Kory and Ali.  As Kory shared over the phone (we called him, put him on speaker phone, and held a mic to it... real high-tech, you know), it was clear that they and the students they are working with in the Keller Park neighborhood are experiencing significant spiritual assault.  After hearing his report, we had the students' split into small groups and pray.  

Confession: I underestimate the role prayer plays in seeing Spiritual breakthrough.  Yet, last night, as I watched 200+ 15-18 year olds pray in earnest (some through tears) for their peers in a close-by neighborhood, it became clear that prayer is often war, and it's an essential weapon in gaining an upper hand on the enemy.  

The prayers of students created a beautiful scene last night.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:12

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 9a - Rockin' Robin

Lame title and confusing title, I know.  Yesterday's moment of beauty was all set in my mind, then several events happened making the decision to pick a single moment problematic.  Going back to my original post outlining this series, I saw that I'm clearly in bounds to chose more than one moment in a day...

(from the original post)
I am going to look for at least one time where I am able to say, "That is a thing of beauty" for 60 straight days..."

So, there will be several posts recounting yesterdays moments of beauty.

The first moment came through a Tweet (a post on Twitter) from my wife last night:

May I always love and care for the orphans and the "throw aways" of the world. God equip my heart to love more. In my fear, YOUR LOVE REIGN.

A beautifully stated thought by the most beautiful woman I know.

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 8 - I had to Point it out Sometime

When it comes to finding moments and things of beauty, my is quick to jump to three categories:

• Weather ("It was a beautiful day today")
• Nature ("Such a beautiful beach/mountain/landscape")
• Art/Photography ("It was a beautiful picture/piece")

So, since a part of this journey for me is to work on my definition of beautiful, I decided to stay away from these three categories for the first week.  As I walked outside yesterday morning, I could no longer avoid it.

The snow can get cold and old after a month or two, but it's still a beautiful thing.  Walking out yesterday morning the landscape was untouched on my cultivated except for a couple vague tire tracks.  It was a great snow covering to... light and fluffy.

To add to the beauty, as I pulled in last night, my headlights scanned across my front yard to reveal the damage that only be accomplished by a 3 year old hopped up on the adrenaline of her first romp in the snow for this year.  Janelle snapped a few pics of her fun.

So, one day after the first week of this, journey, I experienced the beauty trifecta of those categories I sought to avoid early.

A beautiful Snow.
A beautiful scene of nature on account of that snow.
Some beautiful pictures.

As I seek to work on my definition of beautiful, I guess I can't avoid that which I already know is beautiful!

Beauty Rejects - Football Blowout

Here's a little side series that may pop up with the 60 Days of Beauty Project.  Every once in a while I may run into a moment of beauty that just doesn't make the cut to be my choice for that day, but I still feel obliged to mention. 

Here's my first installment of Beauty Rejects:

Any blog reader or anybody with a basic knowledge of DCP knows I'm a die hard Colts fan.  By default this means I am a diehard Patriots enemy.  At the same time, there are few coaching styles in all sports that make my stomach churn more than Mr. Rex Ryan.  His style of coaching embodies so much of what I dislike in the sports world.

Therefore, I was tempted to mention that the Jets being clobbered on Monday Night had an element of beauty in my eyes... but I decided I probably shouldn't share that on my blog...

OOPS!

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 7 - Spreading a Beautiful Disease

So, I had no grand plans when I started this whole thing.  

I was really just a guy looking for something to get back in to blogging and realizing I need a little attitude adjustment.  I'm grateful to Justin who, after reading about the idea, decided to jump on board and join the journey himself.  As we texted back and forth, we decided, "Why not invite others in?"  As a product there are currently 13 of us journeying on our respective blogs.  If you're feeling down and out, take a journey on everyone from that list (click the link or look at the links on the right of my blog).  I think you'll learn something that became very real to me.

When we allow it to be, beauty is contagious.  

That, in and of itself, is a beautiful thing.

As a further confirmation of this realization,  I had a conversation with an individual who has been working with another individual who is in severe depression.  An agreement was struck to, at the end of the day, text each other one moment of beauty encountered in the day.  In the process of fighting through the darkness there has been some light shed by simply searching for beauty.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 6 - Corporate Worship

I find it most beautiful when the following collide:

• A song musically and lyrically resonates to the point that my mind's attention and hearts affection are clearly directed toward my Creator.
• Clearly those around me are at the same as point 1.
• I hear more than just my voice.
• Multiple generations are engaged.
• I am moved to action.

All these aspects made a beautiful collision for me yesterday. 

(They often will on a Sunday morning.)

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 5 - Two Outings

Yesterday my beautiful wife (more on that another day) had an outing planned for her Small Group of Sophomore girls.   They all brought in money, and went shopping for Christmas gifts for RETA (pregnancy help center) in their earn while you learn program.  They then took those gifts to RETA, and volunteered for several hours.  The girls also got a tour of the facilities and learned more about how RETA is bringing life to the unborn and those who are seeking counsel in their pregnancies.  This whole event has a lot of beautiful aspects to it.

• Senior High Small Groups at NMC are a thing of beauty to see in action.  We have too many students for any 1-4 paid staff members shepherd all.  Small Groups are the key where we match 5-8 (we try but they keep them at that size but they keep stinking growing with new kids) with an adult who loves Jesus and the students.  This adult volunteer, for all practical purposes, serves as those students' pastor.
• My wife as a Small Group Leader is a thing of beauty.  I may be biased, but I don't believe they get much better.  Her empathy, compassion, creativity, discernment, mentoring and support has been pretty amazing through the years, and has yielded some significant spiritual fruit.
• RETA and what they are doing is absolutely beautiful.  Counseling those with unwanted pregnancies toward choosing life, the follow up, and abortion recovery can be one messy world to dive into.  They're approach is filled with love, grace and the power of the Holy Spirit's work to make beauty from ashes.
• The actual outing was a thing of beauty.  A group of really sweet,  very popular, and for the most part innocent Sophomore gals were able to see the value of being together as the body of Christ and doing something to serve others as the body of Christ.

As an additional moment of beauty, Janelle's outing allowed for a different kind of outing. Katylynn and I went out on a Saturday daddy/daughter date.  Our time together included shopping for a Christmas gift for Mommy and lunch at Jimmy John's.  At Jimmy John's, Katylynn sat across from me and we had a significant conversation covering:

• When you should/shouldn't wear your boots.
• The difference between getting a gift for someone that we might like and getting a gift that person would actually like.
• Where Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy are at.
• Why the sandwich didn't have cheese.
• How to eat a cookie over the table.

It was not the most deep conversation, but it was pretty significant conversation for a 3 year old. The beauty was that she was locked in to our time together.  I had a little fast forward to about 11-14 years from now when I saw what I believe God wants to have happen... me at a restaurant with my teenage daughter on a Daddy/Daughter date.  

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 4 - Movie Time

Last night, Janelle and I watched Good Will Hunting together. The film has several moments of beauty for me.  A few that jumped out:

•  Sean (Robin Williams) explaining to Will (Matt Damon) the night he blew off a Red Sox Game to spend time with a girl that ended up being his wife is a beautifully acted scene with a beautiful story.
• The moment where Will finally opens up on his abusive past to Sean.  Sean's continual response of "It's not your fault" to an eventually broken down Will is a powerful and beautiful moment of breakthrough.
• The closing scene Chuck (Ben Affleck) pulling up to Will's house to find it vacant.  A beautiful picture of someone breaking through their fear to chase their dream (also a nice little reminder that Ben Affleck did impress me with his acting in at least one movie).

I'm a movie lover. 

I was reminded yesterday that a major part of my appreciation for movies is the multiple ways beauty hits the screen through writers, directors, actors, and the many other crew members who bring film to life.

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 3 - Building Together

Katylynn and I played a game with her blocks yesterday.  We each took turns, taking and placing one block at a time.  

We talked together. 

She told me what letters and numbers were on certain blocks.

She let me know the shapes of certain blocks.

I had to explain to her how a block could not stand on the point of a triangle block.

When we started building the blocks up, she informed me it was going to be a "birdie house".
 

The finished product was, in my opinion, beautiful, but most beautiful was the building process we were able to share together.

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 2 - Forgiveness

So, yesterdays moment of beauty started last Sunday.  No, actually it started 15 years ago...

15 years ago I truly entered into a relationship with Christ.  Soon after that moment, Got began to convict and reveal to some specific relationships that I need to reconcile.  Specifically, God challenged me that I needed to go back and practice restitution and reconciliation from various past choices.  One aspect was going back to each High School girlfriend and seek their apology for treatment and action.  This was a tough process that brought some pretty awesome moments of reconciliation and forgiveness.  Unfortunately, I was unable to track one gal down as she had moved. In 1995, cell phones were not readily available, email was just getting rolling, and Facebook... let's just say I wish I would have thought of it back then.

Finally, I prayed that God would allow this gal to somehow supernaturally sense my grief, and allow her release from any pain or hurt I'd caused. I also made commitment to God if I ever ran across herI  would apologize and seek her forgiveness.

That was 15 years ago.  Now to last Sunday.  I opened up Facebook and the name of this gals brother was at the top of my news feed.  It immediately dawned on me that she may be on Facebook.  After a little researching, I found her.  I sent Janelle a text to let her know that I was going to write my apology.  More on that whole process in a little bit...

So, finally to yesterday's moment of beauty.  I received a response from my apology.  It was a response of forgiveness.  

Forgiveness is not something we deserve, but something that is absolutely beautiful when extended or received.

As an added moment of beauty, something pretty powerful happened while writing the apology note last Sunday.  I had my itunes playing, and when I got to the point of specifically asking for forgiveness, the song "The Healing Has Begun" by Matthew West came on.  As I continued to type, tears began to well up as I considered the healing power that can happen when we simply obey God and allow Him to do His thing. And that, again, was a thing of beauty.

 

60 Days of Beauty: Those Joining in

Those who have indicated they are going to join in the journey of 60 Days of Beauty so far:

Justin Blackwood

Shelley Flickinger

Geoff Cocanower

Alyssa Walter

Jamie Lucas

Mindi Slone

Tia Bennett
Tiffany Christensen
Rhonda Schrock

Karli Saner

Casey Hasselkus
Kaylyn Bussard
Brian Bussard

It's not too late to join.  You can take start today and think back for 2 days to find something beautiful, you can make today day one, or you can make it 59 days.  Just take a moment and allow God to work with you on your definition of beautiful.

Enjoy!

60 Days of Beauty Project: Join the Journey

My friend and former NMC student Justin Blackwood just contacted me.  After reading about the 60 Days of Beauty Project, he asked if he could join me in the journey.  He will be taking the journey on his blog.

This got me thinking, anybody else want to join the journey?  You could do so through your own blog, facebook, twitter, or just in your own journal. 
No high rules or expectations.  I would simply ask you stick to the basic idea laid out in this post explaining the project.

If you choose to join in, let me know, and give me a link to where you're going to post.

BOO YA!

Ipods for Sale

As a part of our adoption journey we have been finding any and all ways we can put in some extra efforts to cover the costs.  One unique thing we've been doing is collecting MyCokeReward points. As we collect those points and enter them into accounts, we are able to trade in those points and get items. 

I was just able to trade in for 2 new 16 GB Ipod Nanos (6th generation).  They are coming in the mail this week.  They are Chrome colored and will still be in their box.  If anyone out there is planning to buy someone an Ipod for Christmas, I'd be glad to sell you one of these.  The best cost I've found for a new one is $175, so that's what we're selling them for (minus tax).  Let me know if interested.  Send me an email, a message on Facebook, or get in contact with me some way.

60 Days of Beauty Project: Day 1 - Light It Up

I'm not particularly a huge fan of Christmas  lights.  I'm not a hater, but not a huge fan.  I do have some strong feelings against those who go overboard though (read my rules on Christmas lights here, if interested.).  Last night I made a run to the Redbox with Katylynn.  As we drove, Katylynn began to point out every house that had Christmas lights. The interaction basically went like this:

Katylnn: Oh, there's another one Daddy.  We almost drove past it.

Daddy:  Ya, I see it honey.  We're JUST driving past it.

(brief commentary, we're working on choosing the right adverbs).

KL: "I like it.  I think it's Boootiful!"

This little action was honestly repeated 8-10 times in our 1 mile drive to the Martin's Red Box.

One of the houses we passed had went a little overboard.  Blue was the color of choice, but there was plenty of yellow, red, purple, orange, and green mixed in.  I'm guessing this house will, at the very least, double their electric bill.  As we were coming up to it, Katylynn's excitement stepped up a notch.  Here's how our interaction went for the super-gawdy house.

KL:  Oh, Daddy.  Look at that one!  It's very, very boootiful!

Daddy:  (in a sarcastic tone) You know kid, I think we're going to need to work on your definition of beautiful...

You ever say something only to realize you shouldn't have said it, but in saying it you realize you are speaking God's words to you?  (that statement is a little confusing, so read it again if you have to)

How dare I try to quench my daughter's joy in that moment?  Why did I feel the need to quench her enjoyment of those Christmas lights.  Secondly, who's to say I've got the corner on the definition of beautiful?

It was a fairly ugly moment for me, to be honest.  But it was also a beautiful moment of the Lord setting a tone for me on why I think he wants me to take this 60 day journey to discover something beautiful every day.  I think he's looking down on me and saying,

"You know kid, I think we're going to need to work on your definition of beautiful."

God, teach me to find beauty.  Teach me through others.  Teach me through your creation.  Teach me to embrace beauty, share beauty, and take part in restoring beauty where it needs to be restored.

As a final note, the rest of my ride to and back from the Red Box changed drastically.  We both engaged in looking for the Christmas lights... pointing out colors, unique spots people have placed their lights, and simply admiring them.  At each house, our conversation would end the same way.

Daddy: What do you think of that one, honey? 
Katylynn: I like it Daddy.  It's bootiful.

I agree. It was beautiful.