What's that Intern up to??

I'm moving!

2010-01-14T19:41:00.001-08:00

I guess you could say that I'll always be an intern in some way or another...however the title doesn't seem to fit me anymore. So I have decided to move my blog to a new address:

http://andyaudette.blogspot.com

Creative? Probably not, but that's where I'll be at from now on. I'm hoping to get a post in before it has been an entire year.

Peace ;-)

Sticky notes

2009-01-29T15:48:00.001-08:00

Today was my first day back in the office after my mid-year internship retreat. It was quite refreshing and needed. I've been a bit disconnected from this blog unfortunately and also from several other important priorities in my life.

The retreat was an excellent chance for me to put all of this internship stuff on hold, and get away in an effort to look and evaluate it from a distance.

Today I was in the office working on the loads of things that need to be done and should've already been done. That's not to mention the future things that I don't want to turn in to things that should've already been done. Amidst the many stresses, interruptions, and distractions I found a sticky note posted on my desk right in front of me. It looked something like this:

Kind of interesting! I completely forgot why I wrote it (I think it was part of a question for a youth survey), yet now this sticky note helps to serve as a reminder to something even bigger. What's most important to me? Definitely the relationship between God and myself. I haven't been in the Word personally nearly as much lately, and that's a real problem because God speaks to us through His Word.

Yet, even when I am disconnected God still speaks. I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit had a role in the interruption that caused this note to be unfinished. God has something to say to me and even though I didn't actively go to His Word to seek Him out, He still spoke through this little yellow sticky note.

It's amazing how God speaks to us in so many different ways. What are some of yours?

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

2008-12-18T08:31:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we celebrated our last elementary midweek program of 2008. We couldn't think of a better way to do it than having birthday party celebration for our Savior. We had a lot of fun singing Christmas songs, eating birthday cake, playing games, laughing, and the best part is that it was all in the name of our King!

What really stuck out to me was our devotion time. In preparation for it I went out to a Christian bookstore and bought about three dozen small wooden crosses. They looked similar to these:

The main difference is that the ones I bought had sayings on them, for example: "In everything give thanks", or "By His wounds we are healed". These crosses were wrapped up into little presents and put into a shopping bag.

When all the children were gathered around me for our devotion time, we talked about birthday parties. Presents, cake, ice cream, games, and singing were all mentioned first and often when I asked what sorts of things we do at a birthday party. Each child was handed a present and given the opportunity to put it in the offering plate (with a painting of Jesus next to it) and to say thank you and happy birthday. (If you're wondering whether the children were disappointed to be giving the presents away, the answer is yes. They were definitely let down!)

I then picked up the offering plate and painting and started talking. This wasn't fully planned out, but the idea came to me and I wanted to go with it. The amazing thing that's so different about Jesus' birthday compared to ours is that Jesus gives us the presents, rather than us giving Him presents. Jesus is our gift, He gave us His life and in so doing He saved our own.

Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is the eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"

2 Corinthians 9:15 - "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"

Ephesians 2:8 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God"

God's gifts are beyond measure. I would not know where to begin counting the ways in which God daily and regularly blesses me. In noticeable and unnoticeable ways, God showers us with His love. Yet all of these pale in comparison to the Ultimate Gift which we have been given: Salvation! We do not deserve such a loving and merciful God and yet daily He proves to be more loving and more merciful than we could have ever imagined. He invites us in to this mercy through worship, prayer, and Christian brothers and sisters. Not only does He invite us in to His mercy, but He actively seeks us out with our backs still turned. He offers up His Body and His Blood on the Cross, which we are joined to every time we participate in the Lord's Supper. His Spirit cleanses us through water and the Word in our Baptisms, and we can do nothing but let the mercy flow through us each and every day as if it is a brand new gift to be opened.

So we turned these presents right back around and each boy and girl at "Camp Grace" (as we affectionately call it) received a gift from God on Jesus' birthday. The "icing on the cake" being that each gift held inside of it a small wooden cross as a reminder of what the gift given to us on Christmas truly is. Surely the presents, family, food, and time off (for some!) is wonderful! They too are gifts from God. These are given to help us celebrate what the true and most important gift on Christmas is: our Immanuel, who walked with us on this Earth to the Easter Cross, that we may walk with Him to Heaven.

It has a familiar ring to it...

2008-11-07T14:17:00.001-08:00

Last night I had the opportunity to head to Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts to check out a concert. By the name of the place you'd think I was at a classical music performance. While the building and ushers certainly looked the part for a moving orchestra performance, the stage was decked out with lights, speakers, wires, and rows of guitars. Yes it was a moving performance alright, although significantly louder.

I was blessed to attend a concert from contemporary Christian artists Tenth Avenue North and Sanctus Real. Opening up for them was the fun band called Vota. Together they rocked my face off along with a few hundred others in the cozy concert hall.

I begin with this picture for several reasons. First, it's the only one I took of opening band Vota so I really had no other options. Second, I feel this is really how I came in to the concert last night. Not really seeing clearly, and not really motivated to go besides the fact that I paid for the ticket and didn't want it to go to waste. Sort of just disconnected. It kind of reminds me of Adam Sandler's character in the movie 'Click'. He finds a magical remote that allows him to fast forward time to the parts he likes. But during those parts that are on fast forward he seems quite robotic. Not aware of the world around him and not responding to it either.

By the time Tenth Avenue North came on I was definitely having a blast singing and praising. It had been awhile since I had such a moving worship experience, I really missed it!

If I had any hearing left, Sanctus Real fixed that. Their tunes blew me away both in how loud they were, and how deep they were. To add to the depth they took time to speak about their music and what it means to them. It was an all around great concert. In between Tenth Avenue North and Sanctus Real a representative of 'Mocha Club' came out to speak to us. Not sure why it hit me so hard, I've heard so many speakers ask support for more causes than I can think of. But it has stuck with me. Kind of like the ringing in my ears.

The ringing in my ears has served me as a temporary reminder to not just hit the "fast forward" button again and go back to everything being about Andy. It's reminded me that I'm being selfish and that I am invited to be a part of something far bigger than myself. The ringing will soon fade away, and honestly I'm excited about that. However, I am not excited about losing the conviction to care for those who are in "the back of the line" so to speak. Those who are waiting while we take our fill and pass the rest on. Those who are scraping at the bottom of an empty container.

I almost feel silly typing this up on my laptop, drinking my fresh water from a bottle. Meanwhile people are dying because they have to walk miles to get their water from a muddy creek. God has given you and I such an amazing opportunity to help. How do I know? First, we both have Internet access. Second, I'll show you a link given to me by a great friend: http://www.globalrichlist.com/ It really helped to put things in perspective for me. Even an intern's salary ranks amongst the top in the world...wow.

I close with a part of Jesus' interactions with "The Rich Young Man". It's quite convicting to read it while putting your own name in this man's place. I encourage you to try it too.

The Rich Young Man (Mark 10-17-21)
17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"

20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."

21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

I end the verse early here because you and I, we still have our chance to decide what our response will be.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

Post-Election Thoughts...

2008-11-05T13:23:00.001-08:00

Duty, voice, responsibility...these are some of the things I've heard over the past week in the encouragement to "get out and vote". Now, the day after the "most important election in history", I've seen a range of emotions including anger, excitement, disappointment, exhaustion, relief, thankfulness, frustration, happiness, despair...etc.

Forgive me, but I must take a moment to process some of the things I've been hearing and seeing over the past several days, especially today. What has specifically troubled me are the phrases "I can't wait until the election is over", "I'm so glad the it's is over!", and so on. I am especially concerned when I hear things like "Now we can get on with our lives" or something along those lines.

I guess I just don't understand why a great number of us get so emotional and passionate about "the issues" and "the candidates" once only every four years. Then we talk about how happy we are to get back to our lives. We also like to mention how we now have the right to complain because we have voted.

I would propose that our duty does not end at the voting booth, nor does it begin there. Our duty is to be Jesus' hands and feet to a world that is in so much need of a Savior. There is not a single human in the world that is capable to transform it. We cannot vote for change, together we have to be change.

I would propose that our voice is not our vote. Our voice is too great, too powerful a gift to be simply checked on a piece of paper or tapped on a screen. Our voice is too deep to be placed on a sign or bumper sticker. Our voice shows through our actions. Do we believe in a cause enough to do something about it, or will we simply try to reason others into our way of thinking?

I would propose that our responsibility is to those who are living daily without knowing the life changing love of Jesus Christ. How do we expect people to vote "morally" on the issues if their foundation is not in Jesus? It's a losing battle.

The only thing that's over is the puppet show. Now is the time where we can live out our duty to Jesus. Where we can be His voice to the world - a voice of love and not hate. In four years we get 1,461 days (yes I used a calculator, and even included the extra day in leap year!). But seriously...we only get 1,461 days! Our credibility lies in what we do the other 1,460 days until the next election.

Thanks for sticking with me as I pour out some of the things that have been convicting me lately. I'll end with the words of Jesus:

Matthew 25:34-40 -

34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

But if we confess our sins...

2008-10-24T09:19:00.001-07:00

I created this blog months ago in an effort to log the ways in which I could see God working through regular experiences in my life. However, since the fall schedule began earlier in September I've noticed a significant decrease in the amount of entries and time spent in this blog. My first question - why?

Nearly every time I've written on this blog it has been because I have felt inspired to. There was something convicting or motivating in my heart that I was moved to share with myself and with anyone who happened to stumble upon my ramblings. Therefore the primary reason which would explain the lack of postings would be the lack of inspiration. Yet my first question repeats - why?

What inspired me to post in the first place were the "God experiences" that I was having. The most common prayer that I've prayed since this summer has been to have a greater and fuller awareness of God's presence in my life. My hope was that not only would I believe God was with me at all times, but that I would feel it as well. I wanted to physically know and be aware that God is with me as I walk to the football game. As I biked to the store. As I was working in the office...

These prayers were answered in very small-yet powerfully huge ways! Looking back in these entries I notice that I've seen God in candles, slugs, weddings, jokes, plants, and so much more!

I must be honest now. Last night was the first time in a long time that I prayed that prayer for God to reveal to me how close and present He is in my life. As I found my free time dwindle, I unfortunately saw my God time dwindle. I've never been very good at setting aside time for God, because it's just so much more convenient to give Him what's left over (not to mention selfish!). I didn't notice it right away, but those "revelations" have become less and less frequent. More and more of my concentration and focus has gone to preparing for what's next, and then what's after that.

It's too bad that this is when we most often lose our closeness with God. When I'm involved and stretched out over so many different things and interacting with so many different people is when I need to be most connected with Him! If my goal is to be an arrow that points people to Jesus, then why do I forget Him at a time like now?

Realizing my lack of blog posts made me catch on to my lack of "God moments" in my life. Realizing my lack of "God moments" made me catch on to my lack of a strong and meaningful connection with Him in this time. I praise God for helping me to come to this realization after only a month and a half. At times I've gone days before realizing, at times I've gone months, and sometimes I've even gone years before realizing that I'm trying to do life on my own.

I do not have words to describe the unworthiness I feel to have such a patient God. Such a loving God. I do not have the words to describe the joy I feel to know that He doesn't give up. I know that God has pulled me out of much deeper and darker pits than this one. I know that I'm going to stumble and fall into this same pit again and many others. Yet Christ's unfailing love will be the only constant.

2 Peter 3:8-9 "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Wake Me Up When September Ends...

2008-10-08T12:39:00.001-07:00

Wow! I seemed to have forgotten that I actually have a blog and write in it. To anybody who has checked up and found nothing, my apologies. Things have been crazy around here since the beginning of the fall schedule. More and more is being added as I've found less time for thought and reflection (which has been the prime motivator for this blog).

The Coopersville area has been hit hard with tragedies lately. Deaths and murders have caused the loss of several loved ones, friends, and family here. The main question we hear is "Why?" People are searching for answers, and are understandably frustrated that so much sin, death, and suffering exists in the world that our God could easily stop and take away if He only would. Thanks be to our God of love that those with questions are seeking these answers from godly people.

To let you get a glimpse into our world here I thought I would share with you an article I wrote for our monthly youth newsletter:

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A lot has happened in the past month since we’ve sent out our last calendar. There’s been death, sadness, and suffering coming from every direction.

Sometimes we feel like we might be better off to just climb in bed and sleep through it all, as the popular band “Green Day” sings: “Wake Me Up When September Ends”

That is definitely one way to deal with problems...but unfortunately they will still be there waiting to meet us when we get up in October.

Instead of “Wake Me Up When September Ends”, I might suggest a different direction. I remember the chorus of a hymn that I’ve heard since I was young: “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

When tragedies happen, we get shaken right down to the very foundations of who we are. The strength of those foundations will decide whether we stand strong or crumble.

All too often we set out to build our own foundations upon ourselves and our interests. We forget the promises of Christ and instead put our trust in whatever satisfies us in the moment.

Tragedies are bigger than our “stuff” and they are bigger than ourselves, but they are not bigger than God. Hurt and sadness will still be there, but we can trust that God will work through these circumstances to fulfill His good plan. As Paul writes in Romans 11:36—”For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.”

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Quite a short article to deal with such a heavy issue I'll admit, but when paper, ink cartridges, stamps, and envelopes come into play I had to get as short and sweet as possible.

Life seems to be passing by faster than I can manage to reflect upon it. I do realize that my title of "Wake Me Up When September Ends" is already coming in almost halfway through October. It's very true that whether or not we are ready to accept it and deal with it, life is happening (but that's another thought all-together).

For Jesus,

Andy

Got a light?

2008-09-11T13:07:00.001-07:00

When I'm spending time in the Word I like to light a candle. It's a neat trick I've picked up through a class and while doing group devotions with youth. It really helps to focus thoughts and set the mood; whether it's a deep study or a short devotion. No matter how inattentive I feel my mind is, the striking of a match (it definitely has to be a match) seems to quickly bring me into the moment as the candle is lit.

An interesting experience happened to me recently. The candle I had been using was getting shorter and shorter, and I never really thought about what I would do when it was going to run out. About midway through my studying, this candle was flickering its last flickers. It split open and wax was pouring out. The wick started to get dimmer and dimmer. In a panic (why did I panic? No idea.) I grabbed another candle and lit it from that same light and stood it right next to the other.

It looked like this:

The image captivated me! I couldn't help but stare at this sight and think about how I really know how that short candle feels! Sometimes we can overwork and over-commit ourselves to the point where it feels like we've poured everything out, and there's nothing left but a flickering of the light that used to be there.

I also think about our sinfulness; when we reject God and all the peace, comfort, and goodness that He is for the temptations of the world. It's like all that makes us whole has completely burst out (more like 'been shoved out'!). But matter how much 'stuff' we try to replace God with, it will never be enough.

Sometimes I find it easier to think of our hearts as a bottomless cup. We can try and fill it with everything and anything; work, sports, boyfriends/girlfriends, food, drugs, sex, husbands/wives, friends, school...it goes on and on. Some aren't even necessarily bad for us, but none of these things are ever enough for us. When we treat something or someone like a replacement for God (see: idol) we will only end up feeling more empty. Only God is infinite. When Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is our only God, then and only then are we whole. Wouldn't it make sense that only an infinite God could fill our bottomless hearts? Anything else in life then becomes an overflowing of blessings because our "cup" is already full!

This concept happens constantly throughout the Bible, but I am reminded most about the book of Judges. Throughout this entire book, the Israelites are constantly turning away from God and worshipping idols. When the result of their sins starts impacting their lives, they finally realize how terrible life is and cry out to God to fix them.

This still happens constantly in life today. We go through those times where our faith is not only #1, but it's also #2, #3, #4, #5...etc. We incorporate God into everything we do and life seems great...for awhile. Maybe it's because we get burned out, or maybe something else catches our eyes, but sooner or later we find ourselves trying to fill up with other things. For some it's days, others can take weeks, months, or even years before we recognize how far we've strayed away.

Yet God doesn't forget about us like we forget about Him. Every time we cry out to God He is there for us. Christ is our Ultimate Judge. Not only in that He will judge us all in the end, but in that He has saved us and delivered us from our sins once and for all.

Psalm 68:34-35 -

"Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies.

You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; The God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. Praise be to God!"

We're gathered here today...

2008-09-04T13:10:00.001-07:00

Well, I had hoped to write this about a week ago, but it was quite a special weekend for me and it came faster than I was expecting. I regret nothing! First of all I got a wonderful and much needed visit from a beautiful Texan, and then we took a road trip out to Wisconsin to see two great friends get married. Here's a cute lil picture of the couple (taken from their wedding website):

Joy & Michael Heiden

Awwwww, adorable aren't they?

It's been a great summer as this will be the second set of friends that I will be able to watch marry each other! The first happened a little over a month ago. Here's a picture of Anna and Adam Koglin (taken from their facebook pictures):

The second chapter in John reveals to us Jesus' first miracle, and it happened at a wedding! How fitting! Jesus saves the day when the people run out of wine and His mother looks to Him for help. He miraculously turns pots of water into wine, and that wine was even better than the wine they were drinking before. So the celebration continues! John writes that this first miracle of Jesus revealed His glory, and right away people began believing in Him.

What an awesome opportunity for two people to glorify God; bringing family and friends together for a day (or more!) to celebrate! All because you desire to spend the rest of your life with another person serving and glorifying our Savior! It's not about the cake, decorations, people, or even the bride and groom. It's a day where we praise God as we thank Him for the infinite love that is constantly showered on us. A love that we are given the ability to share with each other.

That's what I've been dwelling on lately. How do the things we do give glory to God? Not only those big celebration moments, but in each and every day. Living to daily give glory, thanks, and praise to Jesus Christ. He has already blessed us beyond all comprehension, and now we get the opportunity to bless Him right where we're at.

Man vs. Mild

2008-08-21T15:37:00.001-07:00

Do you ever struggle with routine? I know I do. Some similar words that come to mind: scheduled, normal, redundant, ordinary, average, common, plain, and mild. There's just something about waking up and knowing exactly where I am going and having a list of things to do that can really take it out of me.

I wonder just what exactly is being "taken out of me"? Is it just simply energy and motivation, or is there more to it? I've spent some time thinking about this lately. It's sometimes easy to forget that God is present and with us at all times and in all places. We call on Him when things are wild and unpredictable, because that's where we feel we need God. But there can be a temptation to feel as though we are able to handle this everyday stuff on our own.

Whether or not we know it or acknowledge it, God is present in each and every moment of our lives. He is our Source and Provider, and God's presence alone is power in and of itself. Here are a few examples from scripture that describe the power that is God's presence:

Exodus 33:14 - The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Leviticus 10:2 - So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.

Deuteronomy 4:37 - Because He loved your forefathers and chose their descendants after them, He brought you out of Egypt by His Presence and his great strength,

2 Samuel 22:13 - Out of the brightness of His presence bolts of lightning blazed forth.

Jeremiah 5:22 - Should you not fear me?" declares the LORD. "Should you not tremble in my presence?

John 17:5 - And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

The Psalms vividly describe the amazing presence of the Lord:

Psalm 5:5 - The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.

Psalm 21:16 - Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

Psalm 139:7 - Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

There are literally hundreds of references to God's presence. The Israelites wanted so badly to remain in the presence of the Lord (while at the same time fearing it so badly) that they kept hundreds of specific laws and festivals to be clean and worthy to stand before it. They had many sacrifices to purify themselves of sin and become clean again, so that they could return to God's presence.

How easy we have it! God has become the sacrifice for us once and for all. We are blessed to be in God's presence at all times and in all places, and we don't have to do anything to receive it. But in the routine and mildness of life we seem to let the awareness of His presence somehow slip away.

I sat down one day and thought to myself about how I could fight this. I chuckled as I thought about how it's me versus the mild lifestyle. In other words: Man vs. Mild. I recalled a TV show on the discovery channel featuring a guy named Bear Grylls: Man vs. Wild. He goes into the wild outdoors to try and survive and escape. This was exactly the opposite of what I wanted to do. I wanted to fight, survive, and escape the mild that is within me, and keeps me from basking in the presence of God. So I've decided on a series of my own: Man vs. Mild. Probably not an original title, but fitting nonetheless.

Here's my promotional video and an invitation to join me in a fight against "The Mild Within".

TMI God.

2008-08-13T08:37:00.001-07:00

(TMI...Also known as "too much information" for those of you who grew outside of the text messaging and "valley girl" generations.)

As I was growing up through junior high and high school, one of the things I kept hearing from people in the church was the importance of reading the Bible. I tried this several times, but each and every time I quit around the same points. If the genealogies didn't bore me, the mass of small details in the first few books of the Hebrew Writings would. Somewhere in these details I just couldn't see God. I couldn't understand why this would be important to me today.

I've been reading through Exodus over the past couple weeks, and I'm at these points right now. An example from chapter 28:

6 "Make the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen—the work of a skilled craftsman. 7 It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be fastened. 8 Its skillfully woven waistband is to be like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen..."

This is right after chapters and chapters of instructions about how exactly to make the Tabernacle and the chapters ahead will specifically explain how the garments that the priests will wear are to be made. I have a hard time looking down on myself as a high school student for quitting. I could choose between an action packed "Lord of the Rings" from J.R.R. Tolkien or I could read a several thousand year old "How-to" instruction manual for building things with names I've never even heard of.

Simply put; I am much more educated and experienced than I was at that time in my life. I not only have heard, but I better understand that this is the Word of God. One of the ways God chooses to reveal God's self to us is through His Word. So this time around I tried to keep in mind: "What might God be trying to tell me through this?"

Details.

God cares, even about the little things. Now back then these were no little things. God was giving the Israelites specifics on how best they could glorify and worship Him.

This gets me to thinking...How can I worship and glorify God through the details of life? The Apostle Paul gives advice on this topic several times. Here are some examples in his letters to the Corinthians and the Colossians:

1 Corinthians 10:31 - "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Colossians 3:17 - "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Colossians 3:23 - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,"

To me the key phrase pops out "Whatever you do". No matter how small it seems to be: eating a meal, working, talking, whatever. We have the opportunity to be living our whole lives in worship, down to the simplest, most routine activities. We don't have to limit ourselves to Sunday mornings to give God the glory.

Know that God is with us. Seek that awareness of His presence in each and every moment, and use those moments to glorify Him.

Saint Peter simply puts it:

"But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am Holy."" (1 Peter 1:15-16)

Prayin' Like a Pro!

2008-08-06T09:46:00.001-07:00

If there's one thing I will never forget it is my first prayer. The one my mom put me to bed with every night dating back to my chubby baby days. I always remember being tucked in real tight up to my neck after plenty of hugs and kisses. We would then interlock our hands and pray:

"Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep,

Guard me Jesus through the night,

And wake me with the morning light,

God bless mommy, daddy, grandpa's and grandma's,

Andrew and David, and Auntie Nanny and Joe, Amen."

Soon that nightly tradition faded away as I grew into my later elementary school days. It became nightly devotional reading with my younger brother followed by hugs, kisses, and the reminder to say our prayers. Which I faithfully did each and every night.

But something happened as I was in my junior high years, around that pre-teen and early teens age. I finished watching whatever sitcom was on TV to get me tired enough, climbed into bed and prepared to pray: "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray..." And I paused. It didn't feel right, I didn't feel like I was actually praying. So for the first night ever, I personally opened up my heart to God and prayed in my own words:

"Dear Jesus, please forgive me for my sins,

I know I've done a lot of bad things,

And please help me to do the right things,

So that I can be a good Christian,

And grow in Your faith...Amen"

Before the Amen was a list of things that I was thankful for that day. This became my new prayer each night, and I loved it. It was so personal. I felt like I was truly talking with God.

I thought about this prayer the other night as I was lying in bed. There are a lot of things that I can nitpick about now after being trained and educated in theology. Doing the right things doesn't make me a "good" Christian. I don't even like putting adjectives in front of the word "Christian" now. I wasn't growing in God's faith. It was my own faith in God, that relationship between us, that was being nurtured and developed.

I could go on and on about why I don't like the wording but one fact remains: In that prayer I was closer to God than many prayers I've said since. I didn't care about what I was saying or how I was saying it. I didn't think about the words, and I didn't imagine what my professors would say if they could hear that prayer. I was just a boy talking to my Heavenly Dad.

In the first verses of Matthew 18, the disciples ask Jesus who the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is. He answers them by calling a child over to Him, and He tells them that they will not even enter the kingdom unless they become like little children. When we're young we love our parents with all our hearts. We think that they're the smartest people in the whole world and that they know everything. But as we grow we start to think that they might not know as much as we thought. We begin to want our own control over our lives and wonder why our parents are saying no, taking things away, and making us miserable.

Perhaps this is why Jesus doesn't ask for "faith like a teenager".

Sometimes I get carried away with myself in my own prayers...getting so impressed by the terms I am using and the connections I'm making that I realize I'm only trying to glorify myself. I can imagine Jesus rolling His eyes and reminding me of His words in Matthew 6:5-15. He would remind me not to pray like a hypocrite standing on the street trying to be noticed by others. He would tell me not to keep babbling on like the pagans do, trying to be heard for my many words. I can then imagine Him reminding me of my prayer as a child when I truly spoke from my heart.

Words are important. Learning our doctrines is important too. But only so far as they help us grow together and develop our relationship with God.

It helps me sometimes to speak my prayers out loud, having a conversation with my Daddy in heaven. It's easier to tell when I'm not speaking naturally, and it makes the silence all the more powerful when I sit and listen for Him. And hey, if all else fails, I'm going to the nursery and asking the toddlers to pray with me. Maybe I'll learn a thing or two!

Thirsty?

2008-07-30T13:45:00.001-07:00

I was looking for a specific joke today when I stumbled upon this goodie:

"The Committee for the Reduction of Redundancy and the Antiproliferation of Repetition has decided not to meet until they have their first meeting and thus will not be meeting until the first time.
Their Pre-meeting Statement wanted to make this clear before they had their first meeting, so that it would not be more confusing.
So their first meeting will actually be their first meeting and they will not have a meeting before the first meeting.
This should avoid having people show up for their first meeting before it is held, since to do so would be confusing to those who did so and this is what they want to avoid by reducing the confusion and lessening the repetition." Copyright © 2005 http://www.ahajokes.com/

I laughed at this joke quite hard. Perhaps because of my sense of humor, or perhaps because of the sort of day it has been (likely a mixture of the two).

Life gets like this doesn't it? Routines and schedules that look suspiciously similar to the day before, with no promise of something fresh or new. Even at church it can quickly become like that. We go, pick out our spot, and then comes the flurry of sit downs and stand ups. We hear the same announcements and see the same things printed in bulletins. Sometimes I wonder if I even took the time to recognize and process what was going on. Did I truly confess my sins, or did I just follow along with the words I've spoken every week since I was a kid? Was I really just singing that hymn of praise, or trying to make sure I hit as close to the right notes as possible?

So what's the answer? What do you do when your spiritual life starts to feel redundant? When I notice this happening in my life, I try and go deeper. The feeling of redundancy to me is a warning that I'm living too shallow. A symptom of an underlying condition. Perhaps I was "too busy" for a daily devotion or personal Bible study. This does happen once in awhile, but if that "once in awhile" starts to become "often" it can be dangerous.

Jesus commanded us to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30) and He even called it the most important commandment. God is the Source of all of who we are. He has given us our heart, soul, mind, and strength. He is the Source and Provider for our whole selves. We need Him more than once a week for an hour or two. The writer of Psalm 42 quotes this need exactly when he writes: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"

Our souls literally thirst for God.

When my body doesn't receive enough water during the day, I get dehydrated and have headaches. When I haven't eaten much, I feel tired and very cranky (seriously, it's not good to be around me when I haven't eaten in awhile). If I don't spend much time with people, I feel depressed and lonely. When I don't set aside time for daily prayer, devotions, and personal Bible study, I feel shallow and life gets redundant. It's not something we do to avoid guilt or look good, but it's because we need it. To be whole. Complete.

God makes us whole in mind, body, and soul (it even sounds good so it must be true!). Just as He provides for our bodies with food and water, our minds with education and conversation, He provides for our souls too. The Bible, Christian conversations, music, devotional books and resources, prayer, Body and Blood in bread and wine...He's there to nourish our hungry souls in so many ways.

The longer you sit in redundancy, the harder it becomes to break out of. Don't let shallow become the new deep. Look to the Source of your thirst for more in life.

Easter and the Orange Tree

2008-07-23T13:30:00.001-07:00

"Easter and the Orange Tree"...Sound familiar? Well it shouldn't, because I am just now making it up after an Easter miracle in July! Yes that's right, an Easter miracle (not the Easter miracle mind you)!

You see, it all started with the sad death of all my cactus sprouts and all but one of my orange seeds. As soon as I moved the cactus sprouts from their mini-greenhouse and potted them they died. I'm talking within the day. You could tell immediately that they were done for. Quickly this became the grave for my plant failures as little bits of soil and dead plants and failed attempts at seed germinations were tossed in. It became a light brown wasteland during the hot dry days because I would not waste water on what I considered to be nothing more than a compost heap. During rainstorms it was a muddy flooded mess because I would not bring it in for protection.

You can imagine that anything that may have had a chance now definitely did not. Especially after the extremes that this tiny little pot was put through. At least that's what I thought...until one day I went to check on everything, and noticed that in my "pot o' death" was a green stem with two leaves peaking out. It looked like this:

A little blurry, yes, but there was this healthy green life rising triumphantly out of certain death. My favorite lines of the hymn "In Christ Alone" came to mind as I stood there astonished:

"Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again"

An orange seed which had been heavily buried, dried out, flooded, and mistreated had seemingly defied death and rose from its grave of dead plants and poor soil. I could not believe it, it was my very own Easter miracle! The first thing I did was get out my phone and go through all the numbers of close friends and family who knew about my planting escapades to tell them this good news!

The very same thing happened when the women at the empty tomb found out that Jesus had risen (minus the cell phone). Matthew 28:8 says "So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples." While I may have been a little confused and surprised, I wouldn't say I was afraid to see the orange sprout. I was filled with joy however, and hurried to get my cell phone and camera to take a picture (the very one you see above)!

I keep thinking about how that miracle motivated me to tell others the good news that had happened to me. Yes I do truly believe it was a miracle, because of the reminder of and inspiration from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. How easy it was to make that connection and start up a Christ-centered conversation with people that day!

These miracles happen everywhere, all the time. One of the ways God reveals Himself to us is through creation. I try hard to keep my eyes out for these miracles of revelation, and pray for them often. I find they come all the time, and some more memorable than others (mostly because I spend more time thinking about them instead of going back to daily life) but the Orange Easter Miracle has been one of my favorites!

So, what has your latest miracle been? When is the last time you looked past an "ordinary" object or event and felt the presence of God stirring within you? Personally, I'm looking forward to the next one, because it's in those times I feel more alive than ever!

Energy drink, daily tablet, or Exodus 20:8-11.

2008-07-15T10:05:00.001-07:00

It has taken me awhile to get the motivation for writing on here...which is interesting. First of all, I love doing it. Second of all, I want to do it. Third of all, I'll never run out of ideas! God is in all things and all places, so the opportunities to find connections with Him in daily life are endless. So what's the deal?? As I sat here thinking about all this, the question came to mind:

Why are you not doing something you love to do, want to do, and can easily do??

Do you have something in your life like that? Something that you love doing and look forward to? What keeps you from it? I am betting that I could answer this question for you because it was the same answer I gave myself:

I just don't have enough time.

Is that something you find yourself saying often? I know it sure is for me. We look at everything on our lists and calendars for the day, week, and month and it just seems so full. There's all these things that we need to take care of first and then we can get started on what we need to do after that. There's a lot we'd like to do "if we have time", but that just never seems to make it to the top of the list. Work is tiring and takes a lot out of us both mentally and physically. As if we needed to add on, those lists don't end when we leave work either. Sometimes the "to-do" list at home can be just as big as it is when we're working.

I get energy from being around people, so sitting in an office building without much interaction can really take it out of me. I don't even have a family to worry about when I get home either! However, by the time I'm finished making something to eat and trying to clean up after myself the couch and TV seem pretty appealing (sometimes there's not even time for that! It's straight to bed). Some of the things I really would like to do get put off as I just don't feel like I have the energy or motivation for it. This can become a habit for me and unfortunately I often forget a simple yet extremely important fact:

Even God rested!

Genesis 2 tells us about how God finishes the work He has been doing for the past six days in the creation of all things. From the very beginning God gives us a perfect example.

Our culture has come up with more advanced technology which is supposed to make life easier. Instead, all it's done is allow us to micro-manage our work down to the minute and pack as much in as possible. It's hard for me to see Christianity as "outdated" when I consider that God gives us the Third Commandment of Sabbath rest thousands of years ago and it applies just as much now as it did back then. In an age where we can pack more and more in than ever before, taking a day to rest is vital.

That doesn't mean we just sit around and do nothing all day. But rather we take the day and use it for the freedom that God intended it to give us. Relief or freedom, esp. from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs is one of the top results in the dictionary when you look up "rest". God gives us this day as a chance to do all of those things we want to do "if we could ever get the time for it". Those things that give us passion, energy, and enjoyment such as hobbies, friendships, worship, and so much more can fit into this time. They refresh us and prepare us for another week, giving us time to reflect and time to look forward (as well as some important time to just get away!).

A smart guy once asked me: "If I were to ask the people close to you in your life, would they be able to tell me when your Sabbath is?"

Feeling tired, beat, and worn out are all too common from a never-ending work schedule of jobs, housework, volunteering, children, school, and so much more. Your day of Sabbath rest can be a witness to others, just by keeping that day. People notice energy. They notice the passion and drive that comes from renewing yourself through a day of holy rest. They will want to know your secret, and likely be surprised to hear that it's not some new trend they haven't heard about.

Following Christ is certainly not the new trend. Abiding by the commands set before us for our own good even less so. You may find yourself boggling a few minds when they see that "outdated rules" provide you with the source and foundation that allows you stand out and keep going.

Praise to God for giving us a command to stop and breathe in a world that piles things up to our nose.

Michigan District Youth Gathering

2008-06-25T08:21:00.001-07:00

Curious about what Mackinac Island holds for the high school youth this year? Well I was too because I just got here! So I did some searching around and came upon this little gem. Check it out, it gives a pretty good look at what kinds of things will be going on during the trip:

Mixed Messages (Part 1)

2008-06-24T12:05:00.001-07:00

If your faith is in Jesus (or you know a lot of people like that), then you're probably used to having some pretty mixed messages in your life. You've got media pressure to buy more, get more, and have more, because that's what puts you above everyone else. That's how you can be more. But then you have Christians who say give more, serve more, and love more. After all Jesus says the last will be first.

Fashion says that the more you can show off the sexier you are. Guys seem to encourage it too, and want to see even more. If you don't show it to them they'll go somewhere else so you should wear the hottest low-low ride jeans and the sexiest low-low cut top. But then those Christians say things about guarding against lust. They say to dress in modesty and to respect each other.

Then you've got friends (some of whom might even call themselves Christian) who drink alcohol excessively whether or not they are even old enough to drink period. They say it's okay to mess around and hook up with a bunch of people. After all, it's "technically" not sex so it can't be wrong. But then the Christians say that you shouldn't get drunk, and to save your whole body until marriage.

Yep, you've heard the mixed messages. Are you used to being in the middle of the fight? "The world" as they call it trying to pull you into its way with temptations and immediate pleasures, and then the church is promising freedom and everlasting life after you die. Each, of course, condemns the other. The world calls the church an outdated myth for uneducated people, and the church calls the world a place full of evil and lost souls.

Living in the Word with Christ in our hearts, the answers are painfully obvious for us. Unfortunately, they seem just as obvious to those living with their hearts invested in the world, only they do not see the same answers we do. But this doesn't cover everyone. Many are somewhere in the middle, searching. Do you know someone like this? Maybe you've tried giving them your answers and it just hasn't worked. We have enough people in this world trying to give us answers, there's just too many mixed messages.

What we need is hope. What we need to hear is not simply a message, but a proclamation. Yes God gave us rules and instructions, but that's only part of it. He gave them because He loves us and doesn't want to see us hurt. God doesn't want to see the woman hurt because she thought the man loved her but he only wanted her for her body. He doesn't want us to feel alone and empty while we keep trying to fill our lives with more and more things and distractions.

He created us to be in a loving, perfect relationship with Him. When we act in ways that turn against that relationship, we are endangering ourselves. It's like any household product with the warning "use only as intended" or "use as directed". It's not about giving us laws or rules. It's about protecting us and caring for us.

The intention is a loving relationship with God in constant worship and communion with Him. The direction is the Word. It's Jesus. He is the reason for the hope we have, the answer to those mixed messages. It's about a Father who loves us and cares for us. Who gives us potential, and freedom to achieve it. It's about a Son who dies for us. Who shows us life to the fullest, and gives it to us forever. And it's about a Spirit who is at work in us. Who saves us and transforms us.

God is the "Great Unmixer" of mixed messages.

Maybe being bugged isn't so bad...

2008-06-14T12:25:00.001-07:00

I've run into a lot of creepy crawly things in my apartment the last few days. It's actually interesting because you'd think moving into an apartment that was previously uninhabited would uncover a host of secret residents right away. Unfortunately for me, that is not the case. I had a peaceful first couple nights at the apartment and then it's like the place came alive.

It all began Wednesday morning when I was visited by a daddy long legs in the shower. I looked up and there it was right next to the shower head. I nearly slipped, but managed to grab the nozzle (which is detachable) and spray it into oblivion (or wherever that drain ends up...).

Later that night I was in that same bathroom (cursed??) and I heard a noise. This spider was big enough that way up where my big ears hear sound I could hear this spider doing it's thing. That tips you off to just how big that sucker was. I froze, the words that came out were "Oh my God...please help me." It froze too, waiting for me to make the first move. It was a standoff of the worst kind. I made the first move and lost, it is currently unaccounted for in my apartment. The next day I was greeted by another spider camouflaging itself amidst some of my computer wires. I was unable to kill this one as well. During all these spider encounters were many box elder type bugs and other minor insects which were much easier to deal with.

There is one instance that has stuck in my mind more than the others. Thursday night I found a slug near the front door. Yes, that's right a slug! This is the closest picture I could find to the actual home invader...

I had just finished disposing of two bugs when I came upon this little lady. She was slowly moving across my door mat and I immediately put her on a dust pan and went to the toilet to flush her. There was a problem though, she stuck to the dustpan! I shook and shook it and banged it against the side but she hung on strong. I finally had to peel her off and down she sank. I washed off the dustpan and when I went to flush she was already halfway up the toilet bowl again, climbing up! At this point I was just plain frustrated and after a flush and a poke, down she went.

Even now, a couple days later, I still can't stop thinking about that experience. That slug seemed to have such determination and despite my hardest efforts to bang her off that dustpan, she wouldn't budge. This slug was created to be excellent at clinging onto something and could even make it back up through the water and cling onto a toilet bowl side when she was being flushed!

You may be wondering what the point is because after all, the slug failed. But I don't think so. This little slug has made a lasting effect on my thoughts the past couple days (which I am now passing on to you) all because she was doing what she was created to do.

What have you been created to do? Each of us have been blessed with unique skills and talents. Some use them to heal in hospitals and clinics, others use their talents to teach in schools and homes. Carpenters, engineers, garbage collectors, hair dressers...the list of people with different skills goes on and on. They all come from one Source however, our God. He gives us our talents to bless others and further the work of His Kingdom So take those gifts, passions, and skills you have been given and use them to the best of your potential.

And even if you don't feel like you have any gifts or that you aren't in a place or position that you can use them, put your trust in the Lord. Above all else pray, and hang on because you never know how God is using your sticky situation to impact lives.

An official welcome to summer...Welcome!

2008-06-11T12:22:00.001-07:00

(I think we've finally got this blog posted to our web site at Grace, so to all of you who curiously found your way to my Blog...welcome! Enjoy your time here and feel free to hassle me about anything you want.)

Well for us here in the Coopersville area, school is officially out. So what now? Are you planning for college? Working? Sleeping in? Playing video games and lounging around? Hanging out with friends? I'm guessing I've at least hit a good chunk of the population, but nonetheless that all gets pretty old after the first few weeks. So, aside from riding to Marne and back, what do you do to fill up that time in between the commitments?

As for me, being a newcomer to Coopersville I have taken a lot of time exploring around the area and taking pictures. I have a couple favorites from after the heavy rains:

Before I took this picture a little boy was out swinging and splashing his legs in the water as he went back and forth. I wanted to try.

As you can see, we got hit pretty hard from several days of storms that hit the area. Front lawns, playgrounds, and parks will dry up eventually though. My heart and prayers go out to those who are dealing with the loss of loved ones and are many who are still without power.

Eventually I will have stretched the limits of what little skill in taking pictures I have and will need to move on to something else to fill up a little bit of free time. So, what do you do to fill up that extra time in your summer schedule?

First Weekend Debriefing

2008-06-08T15:43:00.001-07:00

Well it is now Sunday evening, and it has been quite an eventful weekend. We arrived at Pastor Joel's house on Friday evening where we were shown to the apartment. We were able to move my stuff from car to apartment and it was back to the Hoyer's (Pastor & family) for dinner and conversation.

After dinner we came back and spent the night unpacking and organizing everything, as well as finding more and more generous donations from the congregation in each new opened drawer and cabinet. When my mom first saw the apartment tears came to her eyes. It looks fantastic! It is a little dumpy looking on the outside, but the inside really does look great. I couldn't imagine a better place to live as a college intern.

Saturday's early afternoon was spent touring Coopersville and some of the Grand Rapids area with Pastor Joel and Mrs. Hoyer. The nice thing about this area is it is such a small little town, but if you go a few miles in any direction you have a bigger city with a whole lot more. So I have the small town feel with the added amenities of a city if I ever need it. My mother and I spent the rest of the afternoon/night shopping and shopping and shopping. I'll admit we got a little carried away. But I'm set here for a long time so it'll be great.

Today was my commissioning service. I wasn't very nervous at all. I expected to be a little bit, but I was not. I arrived about 20 minutes early to meet and greet, and then I made my mom sit with me up front because I expected it to be easier to make my way up there. Pastor began by first "acknowledging the bird in the room" and elaborated on an old lesson taught to him in homiletics in seminary. I was that bird. I was then used as his object lesson in the children's message, which ended with the children all giving me a big group hug. Those of you who know me know that I am in a small congregation but let me tell you this was no small group hug. I had to scan the congregation to see if there was anybody left in the pews because there were dozens of children up there. I also noticed little hands reaching into my pockets during the group hug which made me both chuckle and have to check to make sure I still had everything.

Later on in the service I was commissioned and a part of a youth skit at the end. This service was packed full! We followed out for some fellowship and a chicken barbecue which was quite delicious. I was surprised by how many people came up to me personally to introduce themselves, I barely had to go out and mingle because of the constant flow of people approaching me. I was very impressed by how nice and caring everyone is. My mom was in tears the entire day.

Work seemed to begin right away! Two meetings have officially been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. Okay...so one is a board meeting that I'm invited to, but the other is a meeting for VBS, which I am very much looking forward to. Monday is my day off but it's the first board meeting and it wont be a common thing so I can make an exception.

That's my weekend in a nutshell. A rather large nutshell. Unfortunately at my apartment I do not have Internet access, which in a way is fortunate. It gets me out into the community searching for an Internet connection, but making personal connections at the same time. God is definitely at work in this community, and I am so excited to see how He will use me to further the Kingdom.

In Christ,

Andy

And so it begins...

2008-06-05T22:45:00.001-07:00

Well...actually it began a long time ago. But today marks the official trip to Coopersville, Michigan to begin my Director of Christian Education internship at Grace Lutheran Church. School ended just about a month ago, so I've had a few weeks to prepare by sleeping in, reading, watching movies, and seeing the occasional friend. Oh, and I did a lot of emailing too.

So as I write I am currently staying in the Econolodge in Madison, Wisconsin. My mom and I left at about 5:30pm amidst a pretty awesome thunderstorm, and drove right along with it for about two, maybe two and a half hours. As stressful as it might be to drive as sheets of rain hit your car, there's something pretty amazing about listening to contemporary Christian music during a thunderstorm. It's one thing to listen to a song about God speaking with thunder and lightning, but it's entirely different to watch it happening all around you during the song.

Overall part one of the trip was pretty average. There was some good conversation and the occasional highway patrol officer, but besides a little mix-up at the end about which exit to take nothing too eventful. I am really looking forward to the sequel which takes place tomorrow morning/afternoon. I have never been to Chicago and even though I'll be just driving through I look forward to seeing what I can.

I'll be spending the evening grilling (or reaping the benefits of said grilling) at Pastor Hoyer's house on Friday and then unpacking. I'm very much looking forward to seeing my apartment which will be my new home for a year! I was thinking about how I have been jealous of all my Concordia friends who will get to spend the first year of our new Residence Life Center that was just built. It's supposed to be apartment style living and all fully furnished. I just realized however, that this is exactly what I get too! Just about a thousand miles east that's all. Thanks to Sally and many others I'm sure, it sounds like I have a great place to live. I have many, many thank you's to many, many people. Almost all of whom I have yet to meet. What an exciting time!

I'm not sure about the Internet capabilities I will have in Coopersville. So we'll see when I can punch out another one of these to keep those of you who know me up to date, and give those who don't yet know me a little idea of who I am.

God's Peace!

Andy