Quick Hits

• Wednesday, I'm sharing with our Senior High Students about how to navigate the times when it seems like God is silent... that is I'll be sharing this if the blizzard of the century doesn't strike.
• Thursday, I head down to Fort Wayne to begin working with Remedy.fm on a new show they'll be offering called "Converge".
• Sunday, I'm in the box on Sunday morning.  I'll be taking the first two weeks of a February series we're doing called "God is ______". 
• Sunday is also our student registration deadline for "Enslave Me," and event our students are doing to raise awareness on the issue of human trafficking and get funds to ministries seeking to put an end to modern day slavery.  More info on the event HERE.

There's a good week ahead.

60 Days Done. Now What?

With the 60 Days of Beauty Project in the books (or should I say, "on the blog"), I've been wondering where to go from here...

20 Days of Food:  Logging everything I eat for 20 days straight.
100 Bedtimes:  I post what time I went to bed for 100 straight nights.
55 Days of Mileage:  Post where I drove and how many miles I logged in my 92 Camry.
14 Days of Doo Doo:  I'll let you decide what that would be about.

Well, I think it's clear there need not be any days of anything for a while.  However, the 60 Days of Beauty have gotten me back into a blogging rhythm.  I will be posting a few series over the next month as well as reprising Youtubesday and the Friday 5 for the foreseeable future.  Stay tuned...

60 Days of Beauty: Day 60 - 60 Part 2

I did my best to sum up each day's beauty with a 1-2 sentence thought.  Here's the past 60 Days of Beauty summed up:

Day 1: You know kid, I think we're going to need to work on your definition of beautiful.
Day 2: Forgiveness is not something we deserve, but something that is absolutely beautiful when extended or received.
Day 3: The finished product was, in my opinion, beautiful, but most beautiful was the building process we were able to share together.
Day 4: 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.
Day 5: 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.
Day 6 (Concerning Corporate Worship): All these aspects made a beautiful collision for me yesterday.
Day 7: When we allow it to be, beauty is contagious. That, in and of itself, is a beautiful thing.
Day 8: As I seek to work on my definition of beautiful, I guess I can't avoid that which I already know is beautiful!
Day 9a (Concerning Janelle's Tweet): 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.
Day 9b: The prayers of students created a beautiful scene last night.
Day 9c: Partnership for the sake of the Kingdom is a beautiful collaboration in action!
Day 10: have learned that there is a beautiful partnership that God has created between Caleb (Bislow) and his wife, Jessica.
Day 11 (Concerning Needtobreathe's "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.
Day 12: He (our little boy we're adopting) may be halfway around the world, but he's a part of our family. She (Katylynn) confirms it. Beautiful.
Day 13 (concerning a snowy drive from church to home): That 8 minute drive (usually about 4, thanks snow for the extra memories) was a beautiful drive!
Day 14: 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." 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.
Day 15: Thank you God for the beautiful blessing of a life where I can find so much joy in a very average day.
Day 16: When I see light bulb moments happen, it is beautiful.
Day 17 (Concerning KP Transformation): 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.
Day 18: God's blessing through God's People is a thing of beauty.
Day 19 (Concerning Lunch & Movie w/ Katylynn & Janelle): A Beautiful Saturday afternoon combination.
Day 20 (Concerning the Colts): A beautiful win yesterday.
Day 21: Being a part of a team is a beautiful thing.
Day 22 (Concerning Proverbs 3:5-6): A beautiful and confounding reminder of the role of trust in discovering God's will.
Day 23 (Concerning a late night drive home with my wife): It was a great time of sharing with the most beautiful woman in the world.
Day 24: 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.
Day 25 (Christmas Day): Savior. Messiah. Glory to God. Peace on Earth. Beautiful.
Day 26: I'm grateful for a colorblind family who welcomes and loves my son.
Day 27: A day that I would consider a beautiful gift from God.
Day 28 (Concerning a student's confession he is not a Christian): Honesty. Transparency. It's refreshing to see, and heartbreaking.  Heartbreaking, but hopeful, beautiful,brutal honesty.
Day 29: A good campfire or fireplace is always a thing of beauty.
Day 30: Is there anything more beautiful than a person responded to the grace of God found in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Day 31 (Concerning a Student's response to a Missions Calling): A beautiful milestone... a stake in the ground, shared with a student I believe is going to have major Kingdom impact.
Day 32 (New Years Day): Looking ahead to 2011, I pray that we all may embrace the beautiful journey we are on with God.
Day 33 (Concerning Katylynn): Exactly. A beautiful miracle like you.
Day 34 (Concerning NMC's January Series "Radical): Personally, the timing could not be more perfect. In fact, I'd have to call it beautiful timing for me...
Day 35: Between two covers, God's beautiful breathing, living, and active Word.
Day 36 (Concerning Psalm 51:10-12): The prayer resonated within me as I spent time with my Creator in His word yesterday.
Day 37: A Beautiful response to pray that God could make beauty from the ashes of two significant issues in our world today.
Day 38: I observed as someone close to me took some significant steps in his/her life, and those steps were a beautiful thing.
Day 39: In the world of sport, the game winners are always a beautiful thing to me.
Day 40: That's right, a 3 hour nap that started at 10 in the morning. A beautiful 3 hour nap.
Day 41 (Concerning meeting with parents and students): In both cases, it was a beautiful encounter with the Body of Christ being the Body of Christ.
Day 42: Yesterday, the time spent talking with a great friend was a beautiful reminder of a beautiful friendship God has placed in my life.
Day 43: As I looked through the major causes of my overwhelming feeling, they are all rooted in beautiful events that are unfolding. That beauty makes me want to press on, to keep fighting the good fight!
Day 44 (Concerning NMC Students focusing on Teens and Trafficking): They are choosing to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and that is a beautiful thing.
Day 45: I'm grateful beautiful moments can be captured by Cameras.
Day 46: Students Converging to let their faith and their lives converge has been a beautiful sight.
Day 47: The discipleship child from the marriage of Matthew 25 and Matthew 28 is truly a thing of beauty when I've seen it in action.
Day 48: The closing benediction of Converge was high quality, meaningful, powerful... I would call it downright beautiful.
Day 49 (Concerning Gungor's "Beautiful Things"): A song is a beautiful thing.
Day 50: We received a Court Affidavit yesterday and it was a beautiful thing.
Day 51: The fact that God can and is speaking to His people today is a beautiful thing.
Day 52: Yesterday inhaling a Pizza Puff from the Wakarusa Bas Station was 22.4 seconds of beauty.
Day 53 (Concerning Bethel College): Yesterday served as a reminder of a fantastic school where the beautiful presence of God rests in a very unique way.
Day 54: God's timing, although often painful for us in the midst of it, is a beautifully orchestrated thing.
Day 55: In the words of Bertha Holt, "All Children are beautiful when they are loved."
Day 56 (Concerning Katylynn as we wait for permission to see our son): In the process we accept the amazingly beautiful miracle we currently have.
Day 57 (Concerning Janelle): She knows me. She respects me. She cares for me by doing things she'd know I'd appreciate even though I didn't ask. That's beautiful.
Day 58: Every Wednesday Night, God has given NMC Student Ministries a beautiful opportunity. I pray we will make the most of that opportunity.
Day 59 (Concerning our little guy's bedroom): A house filled with love has one empty bedroom. We wait upon the Lord.
Day 60: 60 Beautiful things is where I'll cut the list, but thanks be to God for many, many more that could make the list!

60 Days of Beauty: Day 60 - 60 Part 1

60 Beautiful people/things/events in my life:

1. Janelle Lynn Prenkert
2. Katylynn Ivy Prenkert
3.  ________ Prenkert (our son)
4. The Next layer of Prenkert Family
5. The Next layer of Lister Family
6. The Legacy of the Wislers/Prenkerts
7. September 16, 1995
8. September 30, 1995
9. May 6, 2000
10. November 6, 2007
11. Nappanee Missionary Church
12. NMC Student Ministries
13. Terry Bley
14. SOAR 1997
15. Bethel College
16. Oakwood Hall
17. Spring 1998 Semester in Ecuador
18. Jamaica Spring Break 1997
19. Israel Spring 1998
20. India 2006 and 2008
21. Kenya 2010
22. Rwanda 2010
23. DRC 2010
24. Maasai Project
25. Unusual Soldiers
26. Kids In Need
27. Teens and Trafficking
28. 802 Locke Ct
29. Video Editing
30. Wings, Etc.
31. Indianapolis Colts
32. Free Throw Line
33. My Green Bible I received from Wakarusa Missionary Church
34. U2
35. Coldplay
36. Switchfoot
37. Gungor
38. Lord of the Rings
39. Disney World
40. Disc Golf
41. Conan
42. Thursdays
43. Wednesday Nights
44. McDonalds Cherry Pies
45. Ice Cream
46. Indiana Sunsets
47. Ludington, MI
48. The empty feeling when I miss Dad
49. God-given Visions and Dreams
50. Blogging
51. Insulin
52. Starry Nights
53. Macaroni and Cheese
54. Heart Beat
55. Breath
56. Jesus
57. The Holy Spirit
58. God the Father
59. Eternity
60. Kingdom here and now

60 Beautiful things is where I'll cut the list, but thanks be to God for many, many more that could make the list!

60 Days of Beauty: Day 59 - House Filled / Empty Bedroom

Last week, we gutted our guest bedroom.  It was 50% guest bedroom and 50% storage/junk collection room.  Yesterday, Janelle set up the crib, a lamp and some toys.  There's some finishing touches, but his room is ready, and it's a beautiful sight.

A house filled with love has one empty bedroom. We wait upon the Lord.

Psalm 27:13-14

I am still confident of this:
   I will see the goodness of the LORD
   in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
   be strong and take heart
   and wait for the LORD.

3 Movies

Watched It.

Liked It.

Loved It.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 58 - Any Given Wednesday Night

It's crazy to think I'm down to 2 days after this.  I can't believe it, but it looks like I may pull off this thing without missing a single day.

I had a chance to make rounds last night.  My role at NMC has me as "captain" over all Student Ministries (Preteens, Junior High, and Senior High) with my main landing point being Senior High.  My responsibilities last night left me space and time to be able to get around to the three different rooms and see everyone in action. 

Every Wednesday night, we have 500+ 5th-12th Grade students gather. 
Every Wednesday night, we have an opportunity to create space for 500+ 5th-12th Grade students to interact with adults who love and believe in them.
Every Wednesday night, we have an opportunity to introduce 500+ 5th-12th Grade students to the living God.

Every Wednesday Night, God has given NMC Student Ministries a beautiful opportunity.  I pray we will make the most of that opportunity.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 4:15&16

Global

The new addition to my Office wall. May it keep me in perspective and on my knees.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 57 - Mind Reader

I woke up at 6:45 and blew chunks yesterday.  It was an epic vomit. (That wasn't beautiful) Guessing I has fallen victim to this nasty flu, I called the church, texted teammates, and let them know I was out for the day, and we'd see from there.  I went back to bed and let Janelle know.

I'm a very annoying sick.  I just want to be alone and curl up in bed. As I rested through the morning, I really didn't start moving again till around 10:30 a.m. to discover not only an empty and growling stomach, but an empty house.  I texted Janelle to find out where she was, and she said, "Shopping.  Thought you could use the quiet."

She knows me.  She respects me.  She cares for me by doing things she'd know I'd appreciate even though I didn't ask. That's beautiful.

(And if your curious, I'm feeling fine now.  Didn't have any more problems.  It was likely a mix of a late night, food, and stress)

60 Days of Beauty: Day 56 - Bad News/ Good News

Yesterday we received an email we didn't expect.  Long story short, based off what we had been told, we were hoping and thinking a first trip (or even just only trip) to get our son in Uganda was going to take place in March.  We had not been given any guarantees, but all signs seemed to point that way... until yesterday. Yesterday we were told it could now be a 3-6 month wait for a court date.

 

Not what we wanted to hear.  It was tough one to swallow, but once again God chose to speak to us through our little girl.  Here, in Janelle's words, is what went down at bedtime last night:

After I told Katylynn about the news with tears in my eyes, she looked up, smiled through her tears and said, "you know from my movie (Toy Story) Mama.  Slinky dog had good news and bad news."  It was then I knew my daughter was speaking on behalf of God.  I asked her, what is the good news?  She instead said, "the bad news is it's gonna be a long time till he is home."  I asked her again, what is the good news?  She said, "Me!"  Right on Kid!  Although one kid is far away and my heart aches for him, my baby girl, who I am rocking in my arms was the best "good news" this mama could have ever wanted.

You can read Janelle's post here.   We are praying for a miracle.  

In the process we accept the amazingly beautiful miracle we currently have.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 55 - Holt International

Last night Janelle and I had an opportunity to volunteer at Winterfest in Fort Wayne, a concert featuring a ton  of Christian artists... Chris Sligh, Francesca Battistelli, Red, Kutless, David Crowder and Newboys to name a few.

Our role was to help promote the orphan sponsorship program with Holt International.  As Holt is the organization we are doing our adoption through, we thought it made sense for us to help out. 

As a part of the presentation at the concert, the story was told of Harry and Bertha Holt, the founders of Holt International.  In all reality, the Holt family could be called the mother and father of International adoption.  Their efforts in the 1950s resulted in the adoption of 8 orphans from Korea.  You can read their full story here, but this excerpt especially struck me...

The Holts’ adoption was revolutionary. Their example showed that a family’s love can transcend the barriers of race and nationality. At a time when adoption was regarded as something to be kept secret, they adopted children who were obviously not their birth children. Through their deep Christian faith and fierce determination, they showed the world that adoption is a banner of love, not a badge of shame.

I'm so thankful for Harry and Bertha Holt and their beautiful; bold step to love God's children.

In the words of Bertha Holt, "All Children are beautiful when they are loved."

60 Days of Beauty: Day 54 - 2004 to 2011... Timing

We've been gutting out our guest bedroom in preparation for the arrival of our little guy. Yesterday's work by Janelle inspired this Tweet from her:

"I find it ironic and beautiful that as i clean out a closet in prep for for our son, I find a journal from 2004 pleading and trusting God 4 kids."

God is good.  I love that he allows us to wrestle through this life.  He had an amazing plan in 2004 as Janelle pleaded and trusted that we are now seeing more clearly in 2011.

God's timing, although often painful for us in the midst of it, is a beautifully orchestrated thing.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 53 - God is Here

 

My wife took someone close to us on a visit to Bethel College.  It was one of those points where Janelle was obeying God.  A few Sundays ago while sitting in Church, she just sensed that still small voice saying she needed to contact this individual and see if she had ever considered going to Bethel.  Fast forward to today, and she should be applied to Bethel by sundown.

Here was the kicker for me.  On the way home, this gal looked at Janelle and said, "The minute I stepped out of the car and onto the campus, I felt God's presence."

Wow.  That's quite a statement.  The crazy thing is that I've heard this comment multiple times of people who came, some willingly and some not-so-willingly, on a Bethel College visit.  I've heard it too many times to simply see it as a coincidental thing.

Now, I don't believe that God is present at Bethel College and not other places.  I do believe , though, that there is something special about his presence and move at this school.  I didn't "feel" it when I visited, but I felt it once there my Freshman year.  I especially felt it on Saturday night, September 16, 1995, the first time I knew that I knew God was real.

Yesterday served as a reminder of a fantastic school where the beautiful presence of God rests in a very unique way.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 52 - The Pizza Puff

It's the unsung Hero of the Gas Station deli/ fried food counter.  I think I could easily eat 4 in one sitting.  I had one yesterday, and thought, in the words of Moe Syxlak, "It's like there's a party in my mouth, and everyone is invited."

Yesterday inhaling a Pizza Puff from the Wakarusa Bas Station was 22.4 seconds of beauty.

*Apologies if you find this to be a shallow beauty post.  Chances are you probably have never eaten a Pizza Puff.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 51 - His Voice

We kicked off a 4-week series called, "He Speaks."  It's a study on listening, discerning and obeying God's voice.  The series layout:

January 19 - He Speaks, but how?

January 26 - He Speaks, but how do I make sure it's Him?

February 3 - He Speaks, but what about when He's silent?

February 10 - He Speaks, so how do I become a better listener?

Last night, I was able to pull out an oldie but a goody.  We looked at 6 key ways in which God will speak to us today.

1. The Bible - This is key to start with becuase it's right there for us to pick up at any point and hear God's Voice.  2 Timothy 3:16 and Hebrews 4:12 confirm this truth.  It's also key to start with because God's Word is essential to checking and discerning the other ways in which God speaks.  God's voice will never contradict God's Word.
2. Pastors/Shepherds - "Pastors" is a bit tricky to use in this category because we think of it as a title over the biblical understanding of those who are in a place of authority in guiding a flock.  In a student's case, the pastor/shepherd role may be taken up by parents, coaches, teachers, Small Group Leaders and other roles of authority.  God can use people of authority to speak His words to us. (Check out Jeremiah 3:15)
3. Friends - There are also those moments God will use those right around us (check out Colossians 3:16) 
4.  Circumstances & Events - Places, issues, opportunities continually come in our path.  Sometimes it's a coincidence.  Yet, there are those moments where it's clear that God is making a statement to us through the events around us.  (check out Romans 8:28)
5. Visions & Dreams - It's supernatural.  You can't explain it, but it has happened and continues to happen (Joel 2:28)
6. Still Small Voice - As a believer we have received the Holy Spirit in us, and Jesus explained that He would guide us into all kinds of truth (John 16:23).

We closed our time allowing God to speak.  It came in the form of Geoff, myself, and students taking different circumstances students may be facing and reading scripture that addresses those situations.  Students sat in silence and allowed God to what He wanted to.  In that little 7 minute exercise, there was opportunity for God to speak in every category mentioned above.  It was a powerful, and beautiful moment.

The fact that God can and is speaking to His people today is a beautiful thing.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 50 - An Affidavit

I wonder how many people could say the following,

"We received a Court Affidavit yesterday and it was a beautiful thing."

We can.  Our court papers requesting a hearing in the Ugandan Courts for the adoption of a little boy came yesterday.  We signed them and Fed Exed them off to Portland (where Holt International Headquarters are located).  From there, they will be sent to Uganda.

This is the final of final steps before we are able to travel.  Now, we wait for the court date.  How long, you ask?  We are asking too.  This much we know.  Uganda is holding their election February 18.  We will not be traveling till Holt is confident election issues are resolved.  The smoother the election process, the quicker we get to travel.  

Join us in praying for a smooth election in Uganda so we can travel soon to bring our son home.  This is a huge prayer request as Uganda's political unrest has only been significantly calmed in the last couple of years. Maybe as you join us in praying, don't make it only about the Prenkerts being able to travel, make it about a nation with a significantly bloody and violent past (especially involving it's children) that needs the peace of God resting over it.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 49 - Beautiful Things

I find it interesting that the past 49 days have found me listening to a lot more music.

I heard this song 2 weeks ago watching a replay of one of the sessions of the Passion Conference.  I said to myself, "I gotta figure out who wrote that song," but I was so caught up in the session of the conference I forgot about it.

Then I heard it being played pre and post session at Converge.  I hunted down the artist and song title.  It is far too fitting to the 60 Days of Beauty Project.

A song is a beautiful thing.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 48 - Benediction

The team that put the Converge Conference together nailed it.  Seth Bartlette, Kathy Ryman, Adam Henderson, Ken Chupp, Carrie Badertscher, and Brad Thornton (there are many others I'm sure I missed... sorry) just flat kicked out an innovative, fresh and relative conference for student leaders.  

I was able to serve as a track leader with three others, and there were 8 digital presenters who joined us.  At the close of the conference, the team orchestrated a unique "benediction" that involved a closing thought or blessing from each digital presenter and the 4 track leaders. 

The closing benediction of Converge was high quality, meaningful, powerful... I would call it downright beautiful.

Having been a part of putting together a large youth conference as well as various camps and retreats.  It is an exhausting exercise. Many more times than not, the effort is well worth it.  I hope the team that put this event together can feel and  know their efforts were well worth it.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 47 - Ugly Couple/Beautiful Baby

Haven't missed a day yet, and I can't let it happen today, even though I'm exhausted.  I just arrived home from the Converge Conference at Huntington University.  Yesterday, I had the privilege of guiding a group of 50 students and leaders down a track focused on Justice/Global Awareness.

In our second meeting together we took time to talk about what my friend Caleb Bislow calls the Pretty/Ugly Couple.  Picture, for a second, a drop-dead gorgeous supermodel.  She's walking arm in arm with a man who is far from pleasant to the eyes.  Caleb equates the supermodel to Matthew 25,:31-36 or humanitarian work.  It's extremely popular to be actively addressing the greatest physical needs and injustices in the world right now both inside and outside the church.  However, Matthew 28,:18-20 or the call to make disciples and meeting the spiritual needs of people, is the ugly man in the couple.  It's not popular.  There fear of being offensive by many Christians or the absolute disdain of proselytizing by many outside the church and even some inside the church. (Caleb shares his thoughts on the couple in this post)

Yesterday, I skyped Caleb into our track to talk about this couple.  I asked him which one  of the couple he was more passionate about.  His response, "I would like to see the two make a baby and we'll call it "Discipleship".  It was a great explanation of our call as followers of Christ.  Powerful.

The discipleship child from the marriage of Matthew 25 and Matthew 28 is truly a thing of beauty when I've seen it in action.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 46 - Converge

I arrived at Huntington College yesterday, along with 42 of our NMC High School students and leaders and 200+ other High School students and leaders.  Our goal is to Converge for one weekend, and ask what could happen if we were to truly put our faith into action in our community in world.  I guess you could say we are asking, "What if our faith we claim were to Converge with the way we live our lives?"

Our first night was a powerful time of worship, challenge and preparation to let God show us who he is, who we are, and what he wants us to do.

Students Converging to let their faith and their lives converge has been a beautiful sight.

Follow the journey Converge2011 jounrey on Twitter here.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 45 - Some Pictures

Yesterday has several beautiful pictures taken or seen:

This photo was taken on a pivotal Wednesday Night (October 25, 2006) in NMC Student Ministries and my life.  It was a night where we decided to dream God sized dreams, and get beyond ourselves.  What's unfolded since? Well, it's been quite beautiful.

 Taken by one of our students (not sure who) while in Kenya last Spring Break.  This one's worth about 5,000 words.

 A beautiful family (the two with longer hair make that possible).  This pic was taken to be included with grant applications as wee seek to add 1 more to the family.

The product of yesterday's fun in the snow.  A beautiful time spent laughing and creating with a beautiful little girl.

I'm grateful beautiful moments can be captured by Cameras.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 44 - Bigger Than Self

I love Wednesdays.  It's game day on so many levels with Student Ministries.  Last night was a special one as it was Week 2 of laying out vision for our focus on Teens In Crisis and Human Trafficking through the rest of the school year. 

Last week was about prayer.  Geoff reported to us that as of last night that 313 5th-12th Grade students and leaders have committed to a day (many committed to 2 days) to to take time to pray each week for Teens or Trafficking.  Something amazingly beautiful is already coming out of this as I talk with students about their first week of commitment.

Last night, we laid out 3 steps of action we are taking to raise awareness and financial support for the issues.
Blue Cups are an opportunity for students to give out of their own pockets toward either issue.
The Dodgeball Tournament will involve NMC and other Youth Groups playing dodgeball to raise funds and awareness for Teens in Crisis.
Enslave Me is an innovative experience where students will choose to be put up for sale for a days work.  They will be getting a glimpse of what it is like to be a modern day slave while raising money to go to Christian ministries working to end human trafficking.
I'll tell more about these events in later posts.  Last night's beautiful moment was at the close of the night.  As we split out, students spread the room in response to sign up and commit to take part in these activities. I firmly believe the world will be different because of what our students are doing over the next 5 months.

They are choosing to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and that is a beautiful thing.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 43 - Overwhelmed but Fighting

Being overwhelmed and exhausted is not beautiful to me.  I despise the points where I find my soul weary, my mind aching from all the running it's doing, and my body fatigued.  I was there yesterday at the end of the day, and there was so much left to do in the immediate week, as well as much pressing in for the coming month, two months, and rest of the semester. 

I'll be honest, yesterday wasn't a terrible day, but I was wrestling as I nodded off to sleep to come up with a moment of beauty more than any day to this point in the journey.  Yet, there is still beauty there in the exhaustion and overwhelming feelings.  It's the opportunities and people that I find myself overwhelmed in...

• This weekend I get to take many students hungry to lead for the sake of Christ on a journey toward global awareness and justice.  I'm working to get the stuff I need in place to make this journey the best possible for those involved.
• Our NMC students are looking to put on an event that will raise significant awareness on the issue of human trafficking while coming alongside local Teens in Crisis Ministries and Global Human Trafficking Ministries.
• There's a little boy halfway around the world waiting.  There's a family of three in the middle of a cornfield waiting.  The family of three has a lot to get in order while they wait for that boy halfway around the world to join them.
• In an effort to be ready to travel to pick up that boy, I'm front-loading this semester's ministry responsibilities and opportunities with a lot of work to get things in place so we can make that trip.
• Key Leadership in our Student Ministries world are responding to God's call on their life that creates some significant voids for us.

As I looked through the major causes of my overwhelming feeling, they are all rooted in beautiful events that are unfolding.  That beauty makes me want to press on, to keep fighting the good fight!

60 Days of Beauty: Day 42 - A Mentor, Co-laborer, and Friend

In 1990, he met me and saw something in me.
In 1996, he invited me to come and learn about youth ministry from him.
In 1999, he asked if I could be join him as a full-time partner in ministry.
On January 10, 2011, he and I sat together at Mancino's and talked ministry, theology, burdens, and life.
Almost 21 years from when we first met.
Going on 15 years of ministry together.
A Mentor.
A Co-laborer.
A Friend.

He wondered if he might be able to actually be mentioned in the 60 Days of Beauty.

Yesterday, the time spent talking with a great friend was a beautiful reminder of a beautiful friendship God has placed in my life.

Much love and thanks to Terry Bley for the opportunity to share in this journey together.

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
 but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24

60 Days of Beauty: Day 41 - Thinking Beyond Self

Yesterday morning included opportunity for met to sit down with two different groups.

The first was a group of High School and Junior High Students who have decided they want to do something to spread awareness and raise support to help free modern day slaves. The idea is outside the box and really exciting. I'll be explaining more in the days to come, but it was so awesome to see students caring outside of themselves and wanting to be a part of something bigger than their own little world.

The second was a group of parents.  We had pulled them together to talk about some specific things we are working through inside Student Ministries.  We wanted to put on our listening ears and hear perspective from them, and allow us to potentially see things through their eyes.  What was very exciting was the how many times parents spoke through the lens of their specific child, but then put down those "glasses" and wore the "glasses" of what might be best for all involved.

In both cases, it was a beautiful encounter with the Body of Christ being the Body of Christ.

Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 40 - 3 hours later

I slept terrible Friday night. Probably wasn't able to tally 5 hours in total. I woke up with Katylynn in an effort to let Janelle get some extra sleep. We played computer games, built with some blocks, ate breakfast, and laughed a lot. I finally hopped in the shower around 9:30. After getting ready I decided to lay on my bed around 10 to watch a little Sportscenter. The next thing I knew, it was 1:00 p.m. and I was completely under the covers feeling very rested (still can't figure out how I ended up under the covers).

That's right, a 3 hour nap that started at 10 in the morning. A beautiful 3 hour nap.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 39 - The Buzzer Beater

It technically wasn't a "buzzer beater".  There was still about 2 seconds left in overtime when NothWood Senior Michael Paul drained the 3 pointer with two Wawasee defenders all over him.  It was nothin' but net.  The buzzer sounded, but you couldn't hear it over the cheers.  The team and cheerleaders stormed the floor.  The student section went crazy.

In the world of sport, the game winners are always a beautiful thing to me.  Here's a collection of some of the best from NCAA basketball and the football world.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 38 - Stepping Forward

Yesterday's beauty does not allow me to go into details.  I observed as someone close to me took some significant steps in his/her life, and those steps were a beautiful thing.

NFL Playoffs Prediction

Here's how I'd like to see it happen:

AFC Wildcard:                  AFC Division:             AFC Championship:
IND over NYJ                   IND over PIT               IND over BAL
BAL over KC                    BAL over NE

NFC Wildcard:                 NFC Division:              NFC Championship:
NO over SEA                    CHI over NO                GB over CHI
GB over PHI                     GB over ATL

Super Bowl:  IND over GB


Here's How I think it will actually happen:
AFC Wildcard:                  AFC Division:             AFC Championship:
IND over NYJ                   IND over PIT               NE over IND
BAL over KC                    BAL over NE

NFC Wildcard:                 NFC Division:              NFC Championship:
NO over SEA                    NO over CHI                ATL over NO
PHI over GB                     ATL over PHI

Super Bowl:  NE over ATL

60 Days of Beauty: Day 37 - Responding to Vision

We held out a vision last night to our 5th-12th grade students to see if they would grab it: 40 students praying for Teens in Crisis and Human Trafficking every day till the end of the school year.  It was fairly simple.  Students select a day of the week to be their day and select an issue to be their issue.  They can pray for 5 minutes on that day or they can pray for 5 hours.  They can pray by themselves or they can get together with a group.  They can fast from a meal and pray.  They can journal their prayers.  Ultimately the form and method of prayer is not the point.  The focus of the prayer and the corporate step of prayer is the key.

For Human trafficking, there are 4 categories of focus to our prayer:

1. The Victims.

2. The anti-trafficking ministries and organizations.

3. The Traffickers.

4. The Spiritual Realm.

For Teens in Crisis, there are 4 categories of focus to our prayer:

1. Our Peers in crisis.

2. NMC Student Ministries.

3. Ministries working with Teens in Crisis (mainly RETA and Groundwire).

4. The Spiritual Realm.

At the close of the night, 500+ 5th-12th Grade Students were invited to respond and commit. The response was a BEAUTIFUL mass of humanity.  

We were hoping to reach our goal by next Wednesday,In one night of commitments from students, we pretty much met the goal. Only a Friday and Saturday have a few more slots.

A Beautiful response to pray that God could make beauty from the ashes of two significant issues in our world today.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 36 - A Prayer

This prayer beautiful prayer from David was read yesterday:

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 51:10-12

The prayer resonated within me as I spent time with my Creator in His word yesterday.

NFL Predictions: How'd I do?

My predictions for the 2010 season on August 29, 2010:

Bold are Division Champs.
Italics are Wildcard Teams

AFC EAST:
New York Jets 11-5
New England Patriots 11 -5
Buffalo Bills 8-8
Miami Dolphins 7-9

How'd I do?  
Got the right teams in the playoffs.  Got the right record for the Jets and Dolphins.

AFC NORTH:
Baltimore Ravens 12-4
Cincinnati Bengals 10-6
Pittsburgh Steelers 9-7
Cleveland Browns 4-12

How'd I do?  Right record on Baltimore and that they're in the playoffs, but they're a wildcard.  Close to actual record for Browns (ended 5-11).   Way off on Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

AFC SOUTH:
Indianapolis Colts 13-3
Houston Texans 10-6
Tennessee Titans 8-8
Jacksonville Jaguars 5-11
How'd I do?  Right on Colts winning the Division, but pretty much wrong on everything else.

AFC WEST:
San Diego Chargers 10-6
Kansas City Chiefs 8-8
Denver Broncos 7-9
Oakland Raiders 7-9
How'd I do? Not so good on this one. Give me a little credit for giving putting the Chiefs up there.

NFC EAST:
New York Giants 11-5
Dallas Cowboys 10-6
Washington Redskins 8-8
Philadelphia Eagles 6-10
How'd I do?  Waaaaaaaay Off!

NFC NORTH:
Green Bay 13-3
Chicago Bears 9-7
Minnesota Vikings 8-8
Detroit Lions 7-9
How'd I do?  Pack made the playoffs, but Wildcard. Bears did much better. Minnesota did much worse.  Lions were pretty close.

NFC SOUTH:

New Orleans Saints 13-3
Atlanta Falcons 11-5
Carolina Panthers 8-8
Tampa Bay Bucs 2-14
How'd I do? Got the right teams in the playoffs here, but teams records are flip-flopped.  Way wrong on Tampa Bay and Carolina.

NFC WEST:
San Francisco 49ers 12-4
Seattle Seahawks 9-7
Arizona Cardinals 8-8
St Louis Rams 5-11
How'd I do?  Really bad.  Waaaay off.

My Superbowl Matchup: Indianapolis Colts v. Green Bay Packers

Champs: Indianapolis Colts

How'd I do?  Well I guess there's still a chance, but it's pretty unlikely.

Coming later this week, my new playoff predictions.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 35 - Breathing, Living, Active

You ever struggled to hear, discern or know God's voice?

I have.

As Geoff and I took some time to prepare for our Spring Wednesday Nights for Senior High, I was reminded of this struggle.  We're looking to do a study on How God Speaks to us in January and early February.  As I thought through this struggle, I was reminded that God's voice is within feet of the majority of us every day.  For many of us, it sits on a shelf, or is laying under a stack of other items in the corner.

2 Timothy 3:16

All scripture is GOD-BREATHED and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God can be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is LIVING and ACTIVE. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Between two covers, God's beautiful breathing, living, and active Word.

 Reminded again yesterday of one of the greatest gifts God has given.  Deeply desiring to recapture a love for this great book, and to hide it in my heart.

 

60 Days of Beauty: Day 34 - Radical

Yesterday, Pastor Dave started a 5 week series examining the life of Jesus called "Radical".  It's going to challenge and stretch some boxes.  Personally, the timing could not be more perfect.  In fact, I'd have to call it beautiful timing for me...

60 Days of Beauty: Day 33 - Miracle

Last night, Katylynn and I went through our regular bedtime ritual which includes reading multiple books, a Bible story or two, some song singing, and prayer.

We read two stories in Katylynn's children's Bible from the life of Jesus.  The first was about the paralytic who was lowered into the house for Jesus to heal him.  After the story, I explained that what Jesus did was a miracle.  Before we read the next story about Jesus calming the storm, I asked her to see if she could figure out what miracle Jesus does in the story.  When we got done reading how Jesus spoke and the storm was calmed, I asked her if she could tell me the miracle. She responded as I would expect most any 3 year old might... "What was it?"

We went back through the story, looking at the pictures.  I showed her the picture of the storm and asked what was happening.  She responded, "A storm."  I showed her the next picture where Jesus is standing on the boat and the sun shining down, and she said "The storm is over."  I asked her how the storm stopped. Her response: "Jesus asked it to go away."

To her response, I let her know, "And that is a miracle honey."

Her response to that, "Like me, Daddy?"

I asked her to repeat herself.

"A miracle like me, Daddy?"

Exactly.  A beautiful miracle like you.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 32 - Tweeting through the Year

Yesterday, I decided to post some of my more significant memories of 2010 on my Twitter account.  Below is the list of experiences, opportunities, relationships, and major blessings of 2010:

• Multiple opportunities to link arms w/ Kory & Ali Lantz and @KP_transformation.
• Getting a text from Terry Bley telling me he's sad he hasn't made my memory tweets.
• Celebrating my little princess's 3rd birthday with the Disney Princesses.
• Saying goodbye to my Grandma and Grandpa Wisler inside 3 weeks of each other.
• Announcing my allegiance to the Boise State Broncos in an effort to appreciate College Football. (didn't work).
• Katylynn discovering her love for green ice cream while in Ludington.Celebrating 10 years of marriage with the beautifual @janelleprenkert by going to Chicago to see Conan O'brien.
• Being introduced to our son in Uganda.
• Showing "To Save a Life" at our Jr and Sr High kickoffs. Record SH attendance and great tone set for school year.
• FAVORITE MOVIE:Toy Story 3. TV SHOW: Community. ALBUM: The Story of Your Life/ Matthew West.
• Closing out our schoolyear focus on Kids In Need and realizing we gave more $$ out than is spent on our Youth Budget.
• A Summer Camp season that was all around DIFFERENT, and that was a great thing.
• Recapturing the heart of compassion and relational evangelism in our students at ChicaGO 2010.
• An awesome time speaking and partntering with @tanklehane and the Missionary Church Central District at CDYC 2010.
• A retooled SOAR internship program with 5 awesome Student Ministries Summer Interns.
• Getting stuck in Africa due to Iceland volcano. Flying the other way around the world to get home.
• April spent in Kenya, Rwanda, & DRC. Life will never be the same.
• A great Florida vacation in January/ February.

2010 was a year filled with joys, tragedies, lessons and some amazing people to journey alongside.  2010 was a great reminder of this beautiful thing called life that we have been given by the Almighty.  Looking ahead to 2011, I pray that we all may embrace the beautiful journey we are on with God