Well it's Saturday again. Funny how they come around every week.

Anyway, it's been two weeks since I've had a chance to put my thoughts down on "paper" so here we go...

1. I'm very excited about what God is doing at the church. We are going to do a Friend Day next week and the enthusiasm is definitely spreading. At first it was met with a little bit of resistance, but now that stories are coming in from the hundreds (yes, I said HUNDREDS) of people who are going to be coming... just about everyone is pumped!
I'm especially excited because we're living out what Jesus commanded us to do in the Great Commission. And with the new results of the most recent poll of American church goers, it's time more churches started following Jesus' footsteps.

2. Which leads me to the other topic which is really on my mind. I received the newest issue of "Outreach" magazine earlier in the week and I haven't been able to think of anything since. The feature article was a full report on the results of the latest poll taken about American church-goers.

People something has to happen very soon. We should be completely ashamed of ourselves that we call ourselves Christians or a part of the body of Christ. We carry the name of the Saviour of the World and we are content that people are going to hell. The latest results are that only 17.7% of Americans go to church on Sunday morning. God should take the "church" and wipe it out and start over.

This is very unacceptable. How people can be so complacent to sit in their "little" church and don't care if anyone else comes in is beyond me. I don't get it. No Where Does Jesus Say Sit On Your Rear And Take Care Of Yourself!

But, he does say, over and over and over again, to reach the lost! I am ashamed of Christians. But not of Christ. I will hold His name high as I go into the world, away from my little holy huddle, and preach Christ crucified. Unbelievable that anyone wouldn't do the same.

3. Which brings me to my Big God Sized Dream. I am definitely going forward and have even started to make plans. First, why don't I let you know what it is. Now, this is just a snap shot, but I think you'll get the idea. (I'll present a fully developed post on it later, short of time right now.)

God has placed a tremendous burden in my heart for the teenagers and young adults in this area. It seems to me that the area churches and "christians" just don't care abou them and are ok with them leaving the church. I'm not. According to Josh McDowell we have already lost a generation (mine) and are quite possibly looking at the last Christian generation. Unless we do something.

I'm going to do my part. I have a dream of a place where teenagers and young adults can go, be a part of a Christ like family, fellowship, grow in their relationships, and have fun while doing it. I envision a cafe type place where teens and young adults can go, have a lunch or dinner (subs), coffee, juice, or whatever (remember this is just the preliminary plan) and do it in a Christian atmosphere. Christian music playing. Scripture on the walls. The workers proclaiming the love of Jesus in servanthood. And a worship time a few times a week (three maybe?).

I see small groups getting together through the week. I see relationships forming that will last a lifetime with Jesus at the center. I see teens starting their faith journey knowing that Jesus loves them and will be with them in their life. I see relevancy instead of tradition. I see love instead of contempt.

Like I said, this is just a snap shot of what is in my head. I will post about it later in more detail. Again, I ask for your continued prayers. This is going to take much more knowledge than I have now and a lot of money. It's going to take the cooperation of a lot of different entities that we will have to work with in order to get this off the ground. Most notably the town council.

Nevertheless, I will not be detered. Jesus came to save the lost. I want to walk with Him on that journey... where ever that may lead.

4. Now for some lighter stuff.  Little League is in full swing with the practices and coaches meetings. Our little town has 36 kids coming out to play this year and we are ecstatic! I know that might sound small compared to larger towns and cities. But for us... that's amazing! And God is working there too. I am having so many opportunities to connect with area kids and start to form relationships and bonds. Yeah it takes time, but anything for God does. He gave His life... I can give my time.

5. Homeschool is still going strong. We've been talking with the kids about summer and have come to the conclusion that we are going to continue through the summer. Why not? It's not like they're going to do anything different. Of course, it won't be as intensive as now, but we're done by 11 or 12 everyday anyway.

6. I saw a post on RugbyHS that really inspired me with a great way to keep track of our schedule and assignments. Take a look. I'm going to be starting it this next week.

7. I've come to the conclusion that I am hopeless. I just can't say no. I want to. I try to. It just doesn't happen. I actually volunteered today to be a part of my denominations leadership for youth training in the state. We have a great program called Youth Leadership Core where churches can nominate youth they feel have great leadership potential and send them five times a year to a specialized leadership training. And I volunteered to be a leader for each training. Aaaaaah!

8. Kaitlynn has a ballet recital coming up in a few weeks and I can't wait. She dances around here all day long and keeps saying, "Are you going to see me on stage, Daddy?" I love seeing my kids excited about what they are doing.

Which is why homeschooling appeals to me. We don't do it to keep our kids away from other kids. We don't do it because we want a better education (although that is a minor reason). We do it because it brings out incredible joy in the kids to be able to work with us during the day in their learning.

For instance, last week Kaitlynn was writing her numbers from 1 to 20. Once she got one column completed she came running to me and with great enthusiasm showed me what she did and then immediately showed me how my writing them all again. These moments are why I homeschool. Priceless gems that will forever by in mine, and their, memories.

9. Of course there is also fishing. I love fishing. And I love it even more now that all three of my kids can come and we can make a day out of it. There is a big difference between loving something and being good at it. I definitely love it. But, I don't always do very good. Even though we haven't caught anything yet, and I have broke my line every time we've gone, we still talk about each time like it was the greatest event of the week.

10. I love my family. They are my inspiration and my life's love. I know that I am involved in the lives of many kids and, with God's help, a lot more. But, I am making a commitment to pour my life into my wife and kids and show them the truth of Jesus and how to walk in His steps everyday of their lives.

Being a husband and father is the toughest job I can imagine and I'm so glad that I am both.

I hope you enjoy these little ramblings. It does help me release some of the tension, aggression, frustrations, and happiness in brain so I can make room for more.

Oh yeah I almost forgot! I am finished with my Old Testament Survey I class and will be taking my final soon! Well, not excited about the final. But am thankful that I can put that study behind me. Phew!

Have a blessed Sunday and I pray that the Lord will reveal mightly things to you and your family.