Refreshed

I believe I had a very Biblical day today.  I feel like a just came back from vacation and yet it was only 1 day.

  I dont know about you but sometimes I get so busy that I begin to feel tired and worn out.  If nothing else I believe my mind was wearing down.  I THINK all the Time.  

The last couple of weeks I have really been feeling tired.   Today I got away, out into the quite mountains with two of my good friends and my wife.  What a time of refreshment.  We had no agenda.  No cell phones, computers, or work that needed to be done.  I dont remember the last time that happened.  

I feel refreshed and ready to go.   When was the last time you just got away.  If your a student when was the last time you went for a walk, or a bike ride or laid down in your yard and just relaxed.  No ipod, cell phone or any other gadget.  Just you, maybe a friend, and Gods creation.  

Remember when

I can remember going to retreats and camps as a teenager and how much fun they where.  I remember winter retreats where we just did not want to go home.  Some of the best times I had as a student where the retreats and camps.

A weekend away without all the distractions of “normal life”.  Retreats are a time to get to know new people, new places and hopefully God.

I’m sure you have a remember when story from camp or a retreat.  Share it here by leaving a comment.

My Remember when…. My good friends, Chad, Andy, Trevor, Nick, Brian where all at snow camp.  The tubing hill was so slick that it took forever to get back up. One night after all the girls went in… someone came up with the dare to do the tube run in boxers.  So all of us jumped on our tubes and down the hill we went.     I also can remember another time that we tried to see how many people we could fit on 1 tube as it slid down the hill.

Feast, Football, Faith, Family and Friends

Yesterday that is what Nicole and I’s day looked like. 

1. Feast- we ate lunch at Nicoles parents house.   Nicoles brother was out in Wisconsin so there were no kids- which was quite different.  Turkey and sweet potatoes where the highlight of this meal.   9 of us gathered round and ate a great meal before the game.  
2. Football- Yes that is right we watched the Packers kick some tail. NFL SACK LEADER  Aaron Kampmanis the man.  It was a lot of fun to watch the game with Nicoles entire family.  Nicoles dad made me laugh throughout the entire game because every-time something good happened he said “did he see that, Aaron did that”!!  Everybody looked for about the first half.  I love watching the Packers.  Look out Cowboys.  GO PACK GO!
3. Feast- We then came to my parents house and had another feast with my parents, grandparents, and sister.  My highlight of this meal was the SMOKED turkey and Broccoli and cheese.   Oh and I almost for got the best part.  Pumpkin Pie!!!
4. Faith-LOVED IT.  At Nicoles parents I got to talk to both Nicoles Mom and Dad a lot regarding things that I am personally wrestling with.   I also got to pick through Dr. Teaguesbooks.  I love having that opportunity.  While there I read Tony Campolo’s book “Letters to a Young Evangelical.”   To learn more click here.   Once at my parents house the conversation continued as I spoke with my grandparents, dad and sister.  They dont let my thoughts go unchallenged so I really enjoyed this conversation.  The main subject we talked about was “Cat and Dog theology” with a little Emerging Church thrown in there.
5. Family and Friends- It was great getting to spend time with both Nicole and I’s Family and it was also good to see our friends Nick and Jess.  Its always good to come home and see both Family and Friends but it always makes it tough to leave.   Maybe thats why I dont call or visit often.    

Thankful? El Faro is!!

Wow, I will tell you the truth so often I am ungrateful which is the total opposite of thankful.   God has blessed me in so many ways both big and small.  I want to give a little shout out here to some people and things I am thankful for. 

• My God- who continues to love me despite all my junk. Thanks Jesus!!
• My wife- NICOLE, she has to put up with all my bad habits/traits that no one else gets to see, smell, or hear.  
• My parents-all of the the sacrifices, not even close to enough thanks, phone calls, or visits.   One couldnt ask for better parents.
• Sister- Thanks for still loving me despite all the fights and no calls.  
• Grandmal and Grandpal- Thanks for setting us an example to follow.  Commitment to each other and our GOD.  Greenbeans, corn and everything else. 
• Mother and Father-in law- Thanks for allowing me to take your precious daughter away.  For allowing us to serve where God has called us and the ministry encouragement.  
• FRIENDS- for still being friends despite me not calling or visiting.  
• Church- For giving me a Chance to serve the God I love.
• Leaders- For your sacrificail love for the cause of Christ.
• Students- For your continued growth and commitment to living for GODS GLORY and Allowing me to be so hard on you for the CAUSE OF CHRIST!
• Missionaries- For being out there and doing what we are all called to do.
• Pastors who have mentored me (even if they dont know it)- Greg Despres, Brian Moore, Beau Eckert, Johnny Miller, Doug Weygand, Kevin Kumher, James Ober, Rick Rhodes, Jim Ayers, John Piper, Steven Furtick, Max Lucado, Bill Hybles, John MacArthur, Donald Miller, Ben Murry, John Maxwell, Scott Hodge, Mike Sanders, Chuck Rathel, Brian Kramer, and many others.  
• MY BLOG READERS- Thanks for Checking in to say what I am thinking.  Hopefully my thinking can help you worship the God that I love.  

Check out this video put together by Christian from El Faro Church in Lebanon.   The song is very fitting.    Thanks Christian and El Faro for the encouragement you are to me, my wife and our teens.  We love serving along with you!!