Two Billion to One

Here's something I've been thinking about recently....something about Jesus that makes me love him more. Something that fascinates me.

He was one man (yes, fully God too....but bear with me). And he did the bulk of his high-visibility, high-impact ministry in three years. And he changed the face of the planet for ever and ever. Human kind will never be the same again! One man. Three Years.

Then he left the earth to go back to be with Daddy (Father God). Essentially, in John 14 Jesus says this: "I am leaving to go back with my Dad and I need you to keep up my work here on earth. But you will not be alone. I will leave my Holy Spirit to help you. GO for it! GO!" That was about 2 thousand years ago. And now there are about 2 billion of us who claim to follow Jesus! And our combined impact as the "body of Christ" still does not seem to come anywhere even close to the impact that ONE MAN made in THREE YEARS!

What's up with this?

And then John 14:12 says that we are going to do "greater things"! I long to see these greater things. The pages of the gospels seem to be far greater than what I am seeing now. I don't get it. I just know I that I long for us to be the body that Jesus longs for us to be!

Jesus, thank you for believing in us!

God, be gracious and forgiving with us as we try!

Spirit, help us as Jesus promised you would!

Butt Dial

Sooner or later it happens to everybody. You get a call from a friend and pick up the phone thinking they want to talk. You say hello, but instead of getting a response they just start talking about random things. You keep saying their name louder and louder, but they just keep talking.

After a few seconds or moments, you realize the truth: you’ve been butt dialed. They didn’t mean to call you. It was just the pressure in their back pocket that made it happen.

Almost always, it’s just meaningless chatter. What food they’re ordering. Directions they’re taking. Plans they’re making.

But sometimes, you’re let into conversations that you didn’t want to hear. The person on the other line begins talking about someone you know. Or worse, they begin talking about you. And it isn’t the same things they would be saying if the phone was in their hand rather than their back pocket.

Or maybe the content of their conversation simply isn’t what you would expect out of them. It’s vulgar or low-level compared to the way it is when they’re talking to you directly.

Right now, this could easily turn into a judgmental or woe is me situation. But I want to flip the tables for a second.

What if the situation was reversed (because it often is)? What if your phone accidentally dialed when it was in your pocket?

• Would we say the same things we say about people?
• Would we have the same conversations?
• Would we sound as spiritual as we did in small group or at the coffee shop?

We often talk about the need for the content of our lives to match the content of our speech. When it happens, it’s called integrity. But it’s just as necessary that the content of our public discourse match the content of our private discussions. When it happens, it’s also called integrity.

What would it look like if we lived our lives as if our phone was dialing someone at all times? In other words, what if the microphone was always on?

I wish I could leave it at those theoretical questions. But I can’t. Because they’re not theoretical. The phone is always dialing. The microphone is always on:

"There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs." Luke 12:2-3

(Credit for this post goes to Steven Furtick. I saw this on his blog and straight cuffed it. Thought it was great!)

Churches Partnering w/ Us (13 and growing)

This last 6 months of connecting with people and churches has been thrilling in many ways. Tonight, I just want to take a moment to give a loud shout out to all of the churches that are supporting us and partnering with us financially (prayer and relational too) over these next 2 years. ALL of them are a result of relationships and GRACE! Especially grace. Tricia, Davis and I thank you in the greatest way we know how! You are a gift to us that we treasure!

Thank you to:

1. Capital Christian Fellowship in Lanham MD (our home church and spiritual family)
2. New Life Mennonite Church in Ellicott City, MD
3. Wilken's Avenue Mennonite Church in Baltimore, MD
4. Ethiopian Evangelical Church in Baltimore, MD
5. Judah Temple in Mitchellville, MD
6. Zion Church in Largo, MD
7. Grace Bible Church in Lanham, MD
8. Freedom Fellowship/Calvary Assembly of God in Hudson, NY
9. Kingdom Life Empowerment Temple in Hyattsville, MD
10. Celebration of Praise in Clermont, FL
11. Trinity Assembly of God in Lanham, MD (My Home Church as a kid)
12. Spring Valley Community Church in Royersford, PA
13. Baltimore Washington District of Churches in the Lancaster Mennonite Conference (Our District)

There are a number of other churches not in this list that are committed to praying and walking with us, just not in finances (about 7 beyond what is listed above). We are super thankful for them too!

In addition, as of tonight, there are approximately 75 individuals/families that have also partnered with us!! We are so humbled. We still have about 35% to go, but it is never too soon to celebrate generosity and to PRAISE GOD!!

What I'm learning while I'm not preaching...

There are many things I am learning these days. It feels impossible to capture it all. I tried my best to prepare emotionally for this season of NOT being a leader/Pastor in the way I used to be. Some days are hard, honestly. But all in all, I am learning the ever-important lesson of knowing where my value is--in Jesus, not in me, my abilities, my position or even my impact on others...it is all about Jesus!

But, here is one really cool thing that I am experiencing (because I can't preach every week like I used to)...

When you cannot preach a passage, you are forced to live with it and live in it. Oftentimes in the past, I would quickly move from receiving the truth of the message for myself to focusing on how I could share it with others.

Here is what I am realizing in hindsight...once I delivered a message, I often left it there. Just like UPS delivers a package and leaves it at your door, many Pastors deliver a passage and leave it at your church service....they are done with it. Since I can't preach all the messages I am getting these days, I just have to keep them, sit with them, live in them---me and Jesus. As a result, I am seeing scripture sink deeper into my heart than it used to. And I like it. This is a good season. Painful in some ways. But wonderful in others!

Note: I am preaching every Sunday, but more of a vision message for missions & fundraising. I reckon I will have a long list of sermons built up over the next two years. I'll have to let it out somehow, which is why I suspect I may write a book. ;-)

Seven Reasons to GO

Seven Reasons to Go

By Floyd McClung

That world is covered in spiritual darkness. Four billion people out of the 6.9 billion on this planet never heard the good news of Jesus, and are separated from Him by spiritual darkness, and even in some cases, deep deception. I have listed the reasons that compel me to go, and why I ask others to do the same, below.

However, these reasons will remain just one more list of things we "ought to do" someday, unless we submit our inner motivations to Jesus. May I request that you join me in thinking for a few moments about our reasons to make Jesus known to others? Would you please ask the Lord to speak to your heart as you read through this list?

The Lamb is Worthy
At the end of time people will gather from every tribe and tongue and nation around the throne of God to honor the Lamb of God, all worshipping in their redeemed cultures. They will gather joyously around the throne of God and celebrate the victory He has won on their behalf. The One who died a shameful death to redeem the peoples of the earth will be the object of honor and praise for all eternity. All of history will be consummated in the praise of the One who gave Himself for us. He died to make us a kingdom of priests. He set us free from religion and fear and superstition so we might freely enter His throne room of grace. Everything is headed for that day. All we do that has meaning will find its fulfillment at that celebration. May it come quickly, Lord Jesus! This is the mission of God, and that is the mission of the church of God. The church's ultimate purpose is not the programs we offer to people or the missionary outreaches we do, or our budgets or faith giving, our missionaries dressed in strange costumes, not even about the lost people or the needs of hurting millions. It is about Jesus, the Lion who became a Lamb, the Redeemer of the all peoples, the Savior of the world. He is our great goal. It is for Him. We go to others so Jesus will receive the just reward of His suffering.

The Lost Are Dying
Most of earth's population will spend eternity separated from God if they do not have a chance to hear the Good News of God's salvation. Eternity is real, and though many people believe theoretically in hell, they don't really believe that a “good God will send people to hell.” May God impress deeply on our hears the terrible reality of man's lostness without a savior. Men and women need forgiveness of sins. There is no other way for that to happen than Jesus. It is by hearing, believing and calling on His name that people are rescued from a certain, eternal, separation from God.

The Poor are Suffering
We can easily become immune to the horrendous suffering of the victims of drought, famine, poverty and injustice. It is only by the grace of God than our hearts can be filled with the compassion of Jesus. The Bible says that when Jesus looked upon the crowds, He had compassion. May we have the same response, whether it be to a neighbor in need, a child's face in a Christian advertisement, or a news broadcast from the Horn of Africa. We know the statistics, we hear and see the faces, may we now become hardened to their plight. There are only two ways to maintain genuine compassion: getting involved with the poor, and maintaining a lifestyle of personal devotion and prayer for the poor.

The Church is Commissioned
Jesus commanded us to go, and go means a change of location. We have been commissioned to go, teach, baptize and make disciples. There are people waiting for us to obey, whether it be the villages of North Africa or the mountains of Tibet. They wait for our obedience. The issue is not whether or not we are called. All are called. All are commissioned. It is a matter of location, of those in the church will join with God in sacrificial obedience. Willing hearts hear His voice. The Lord Jesus said to His disciples, "As the Father sent me, so send I you..."

The Believers Are Perishing
Without a vision greater than the pleasures of our culture and the comforts of life, we will perish. By joining God on mission, we find a vision worth dying for and worth living for. It is not enough to send our money, because money does not have to lay down rights, weep, or give itself. It is not enough to send native workers, because native workers cannot pray, love and disciple in our place. God uses people to reach people. He uses people to encourage faint hearts. If for no other reason, we must go for our sakes. If not, we will surely perish. For the sake of the church we must give our very best, lest we die from lack of sacrifice, from lack of personal involvement. If we will not, we will perish.

The Father is Waiting
The highest motivation for preaching the gospel is not what lost or needy people receive from our efforts, but what God receives from our love for Him. Joining God’s mission is first and foremost about God. He created the nations to seek after Him and find Him (Acts 17:24-26). He brought them into existence so they might find their satisfaction in their Creator (Revelation 4:11). The Father is waiting. He longs for the worship and obedience of His creation. He made the nations. He made them for a purpose. Like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, God is yearning for the peoples of the earth to come home to Him.

The Spirit is Moving
We are living in the time of the greatest revival in the history of the church. There have been times in church history when the Spirit has moved on one continent, and then other times when the Spirit has moved on another continent. What is unusual about this period of history is that the Spirit of God is bringing millions of people to Himself, simultaneously, on every continent. The church is growing mightily in China, Indonesia, India, Korea, Latin America, Africa -literally all over the world. God brought down the Berlin wall, and the communist governments of Eastern Europe, and now His Spirit is tearing down walls of fear and cultural separation that hide Muslims and Hindus and Buddhists from Jesus. It’s God's gracious invitation and the Church’s sacred privilege to participate in this unprecedented move of the Holy Spirit. Who would want to miss out on what our Father is doing on the earth?

God has chosen this time to gather people from all the peoples of the earth in a way He has never done before. It is the will of God for the Church to be part of what Father is doing. The Church is what God is doing; He is raising up a people for Himself from among all the peoples of the earth.

______________

I thought this was very well done and wanted to share it. I look forward to serving with Floyd in Cape Town!!

Fundraising Update--43 days to go!

The clock is ticking!! We are now only 43 days away from departing for South Africa. We leave January 12.

We still KNOW that we are in the middle of a miracle. When we updated you 15 days ago, we were at 50%.

Today, we are at 63%!

There are still several churches and many individuals that we are in conversations with that we feel will be supporting us financially. It is just a waiting game.

Here's the deal...to be at 63% this fast is a miracle! To GOD be the glory! Now, we are waiting on the completion of what the Lord is doing. We are trusting the Lord for 100% by departure.

_________________

Now, what about YOU?? Can YOU help us?

1. We need prayer! Will you pray for us?
2. We are looking for financial supporters! Can you support us with a monthly pledge (or a one time gift)? Monthly pledges that spread over two years really help the percentage increase rapidly. (A $500 one time gift may seem huge, and it is! But a $50 a month commitment over two years is $1,200 toward our budget!)
3. Do you know people, businesses or organizations that may want to sow a one time year end gift?

If you are willing to do any of the three things above, would you please email me at noah.ccf@gmail.com as soon as possible (or message me on FB, leave a comment, text me, call me, whatever)? We would really be encouraged to hear from you.

Please help us see our calling become a reality!

Noah, Tricia and Davis

________________

PS- Below is info for giving online:

If you or anyone you know is interested in investing in our family's call into missions, you can do so ONLINE in the following way:

1. CLICK HERE.
2. Then, simply type in the amount, designate it for "Noah and Tricia Kaye's Support" and follow the secure process.
3. That's it!

If you wish to set up monthly or quarterly contributions, just CLICK HERE, fill out the form and follow the instructions.

Walking with God

A friend in our Congregation gave us a card when we left CCF that had these words written in it. It blessed me deeply the moment I read it. And it keeps blessing me. I wanted to share it with you!

"Walking With God" by Thomas Merton

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that my desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

___________________________________
This prayer, from Thomas Merton, is a source of strength to me while wrestling with my ever-present questions about God’s will. May it encourage you today, and may it become the prayer of a Church in endless formation.

Jesus, thank you that...(a Thanksgiving Post)

Jesus, thank you that....

When we cry, you comfort us.

When we knock, you answer.

When we seek, you respond.

When we feel pain, you heal us.

Lord, when we are lost, you guide us.

Father, when we are alone, you join us.

Jesus, thank you that...

When we forget, you remind us.

When we fail, you restore us.

When we sin, you convict us.

Then, when we repent, you forgive us.

Bread of life, when we hunger, you feed us.

Living Water, when we thirst, you quench us.

When we are confused, you bring clarity.

When we risk, you grant safety.

When we struggle, you intervene.

When we call, you answer.

When we dream, you interpret.

Daddy, when we return, you welcome us.

When we praise you, you "inhabit" those praises.

So, today, we praise you!

And we say THANK YOU on this season of Thanksgiving!

We love you, Lord!

A few thoughts about Facebook...

Wanted to share a few random thoughts about Facebook.

I just have to say this....I have an increasing sense of respect for those that are among older generations that are adjusting so well to the social media developments. I continue to marvel at the flexibility and willingness of our elders and how they are learning totally new things every day in order to stay relevant and connected. I long to be like that one day. Thank you! Thank you for caring about people enough to meet them where they are and build bridges into their lives...into my life! I honor you!

While on the topic...

• Some of you have asked if we will be blogging and facebooking in South Africa. The answer is YES! Less. But, yes. The connection is not as good and the cost is not as low. But, we will do what we can.
• Speaking of which, if we are not "friends" on Facebook yet, please add me. I am looking to keep growing my connections especially before we leave the USA. Find me by clicking HERE!
• Also, if you have not "liked" our missions fan page, please click here and be a part. Share it with and suggest it to others too, if you don't mind.

I've tried that already!

I can recall countless times where I tried to encourage people to take a faith-filled step for God, to only hear excuses. People WANT results, but they won't keep trying to do what it takes to get those results. They give up too early and too easy.

Something really impacted me in Luke 5:5 this weekend. After fishing all night, the Disciples had caught nothing. They sailed in and started cleaning their nets. They were discouraged, I'm sure. Then, Jesus shows up and gets in their boat and orders them to put out into the water (first into shallow water where he kept teaching the crowd). THEN, he tells Simon to put out into deep water and let down his net. Simon's response was profound! He said...

"Master, we've worked hard all night and have not caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets!" Luke 5:5

I've tried to call them already. I've reached out to her before. I've done that 20 times. I tried that. I did that. It never worked. I am not doing that again. I know more about this than you do. These sound like the more popular responses I hear. Simon knew something powerful. He knew that when GOD SAYS IT, it is a whole new ball game. What you've already tried is out the window, God is on the scene. And HE makes all things new.

Remember, Acts 1:7 tells us that timing is not our business, it's God's. So, he may know just the right moment to make the move.

So, I challenge you to listen to the Lord. If you are not hearing his voice in prayer, through the spirit or through others, then pick up the Bible. He has 66 books worth of stuff to say to you.

This may not make sense, but, because YOU said so....I'll do it!

Random Updates About Anything

Here are a few things on my mind...a few things that I want to share with you this morning:

• This last trip we just returned from was blessed of God in many ways! Click HERE to read about where we went and why.
• I have been missing my blog! It has just been nearly impossible to blog often with being on the road this much. There are many things that I can do from my iPhone, but blogging is not something I do on the run. Will be back at it soon, I hope. I have a LIST of things I wish to share.
• Another reason for the decrease in blogs is that I am doing more offline writing these days.
• In about an hour, I head to Lancaster for a morning meeting with other leaders that have a heart for creative church planting approaches. I want to spend 5 hours in the car today like I want a hole in my head...but I believe the sacrifice is worth the return.
• We are working as hard as we know how at raising our budget for missions. At the same time, we are realizing more everyday that we are not really doing it....GOD IS!! Every percentage we increase, we feel his hand on our shoulder more, reminding us that He is with us.
• We are living at Ruth Yoder's until early this coming week when we move back to the O'Grady's...where we will live from now until we leave! It looks like this is our last "move" until we leave for Africa.
• Do we have a departure date? Yes. January 12th!
• I really miss my friends at CCF! Some days I just want to pick up the phone and call people like I'm still their Pastor....but I know I need to let go for now. It is hard. If you are reading this, know that I think of you often and love you!
• I'm excited to preach and share our vision at New Life Mennonite Church in Ellicott City tomorrow morning. We are preaching somewhere different almost every Sunday between now and when we leave. I will post our schedule soon.

That's enough for now.

Be back soon.

Full of Thanksgiving,

Noah

Fundraising Update; It's Climbing!!

The countdown to Cape Town is on. We are now only about 60 days away from departing. The clock is ticking, but the Lord is moving.

I will be honest, I feel like we are in the middle of a miracle. I really do. IF we raise this budget by the end of the year, the LORD will have done it in just about 4 months!!

When I last updated you 3 weeks ago, we were at 30%. Today, we are at 50% and climbing!!

This 50% does not include about 6 churches that we will be relating closely to and speaking at over the next month or other individuals that have verbally committed, but not sent their pledge forms in! So...we are full of hope that this next 20%-30% is just around the corner.

_________________

Now, what about YOU?? Can YOU help us? Can you partner with us in any of the 3 ways below?

1. We need prayer! Will you pray for us?
2. We are looking for financial supporters! Can you support us with a monthly pledge (or a one time gift)? Monthly pledges that spread over two years really help the percentage increase rapidly. (A $500 one time gift may seem huge, and it is! But a $50 a month commitment over two years is $1,200 toward our budget!)
3. Do you know people, churches or organizations that we might be able to connect with as supporters?

If you are willing to do any of the three things above, would you please email me at noah.ccf@gmail.com as soon as possible (or message me on FB, leave a comment, text me, call me, whatever)? We would really be encouraged to hear from you.

Please join us and be a part of seeing a miracle. We really feel that the Lord is moving in a miraculous way!

Noah, Tricia and Davis

________________

PS- Below is info for giving online:

If you or anyone you know is interested in investing in our family's call into missions, you can do so ONLINE in the following way:

1. CLICK HERE.
2. Then, simply type in the amount, designate it for "Noah and Tricia Kaye's Support" and follow the secure process.
3. That's it!

If you wish to set up monthly or quarterly contributions, just CLICK HERE, fill out the form and follow the instructions.

Is deliverance really that easy?

Here is something that I am struggling with today. I'm gonna be pretty raw here. Last night, we attended a church in the Orlando area. I posted that I was there on FB, but let me leave the name out of it for the sake of this post. This is not really about this church per se. What I am writing about is happening all over the place.

During the service last evening, after some incredible worship time, the Lead Pastor called for everyone with an addiction to come forward...any form of addiction. Then, for the next 30 minutes or so, he walked from one side of the altar to the other "healing" people from addiction. When he would lay his hands on them, most people would visibly respond. Most would cry, many shook, many fell slain in the spirit (but would be back up within 5-10 seconds) and others just stood there. Then, toward the end of the night, the Pastor announced that "62 people had been delivered or healed from addiction" during the service.

So, since last night I have been wrestling with a few questions:

• Is deliverance really that easy?
• Is that all there is to it?
• Why would God only give so few people this incredible ability...to heal people of a life of addiction just by simply making contact with their forehead for 3 seconds?
• Or is there more?
• Is this really deliverance? Is this really healing?
• How come as a Pastor, I have had to spend YEARS walking with people toward wholeness and healing, but guys like this can heal people in seconds?
• And how many of the 62 people who were "healed" last night are living that healing today? Are any of them hurt or disillusioned because they had already "messed up their healing" by morning?

Let me end with this:

1. I believe with ALL MY HEART that the Lord can heal and deliver anyone with the touch of his finger and in an INSTANT!!! Our God is an all-powerful healing God!
2. I simultaneously believe that it is the RARE way, not the common way. MOST of the time, I believe that the Lord invites our healing through a journey called Discipleship. A journey where with walk with the spirit of God, the people of God and the Word of God to a place of healing. And it takes time.

What are your thoughts? I am sure this post will get somebody going! What you got?

Preaching in Orlando

We are getting very excited to preach in Orlando this coming week. We will be preaching and sharing our vision for South Africa at Celebration of Praise in Clermont, FL (near Orlando) this coming Wednesday evening at 7pm.

The church is located at 3700 S. Hwy 27, Clermont, FL.

Click HERE to visit the church's website.

This is the home church of Tricia's Uncle Jimmy and Cousin, Diane Pagan. We are so honored for this opportunity to speak and for the prospect of Celebration of Praise becoming a supporting church. We are thankful for Pastor Chris Dutruch opening the doors to us. We welcome your prayers and if you live in the area, we would LOVE to see you this Wednesday evening.

(We are preaching many other times between now and when we depart. We will publicize info as the dates approach.)

Permission to Speak Freely

Just finished a powerful book by Anne Jackson entitled "Permission to Speak Freely; Essays and Art on Fear, Confession and Grace". In it, Jackson faces issues head on. She works on the issue of why it is so difficult to be honest in the church. Deep stuff.

She shares about the sexual experience that she had with a Youth Pastor when she was 16 and how that has impacted her life. And she shares openly about her own struggle (to this day) with pornography. She approaches topics openly and candidly. The book is powerful. It is especially powerful for those struggling with secrets, shame, confession and really feeling unsure of what to do with it all.

Jackson sums it up best at the end of the book when she affirms readers while describing this book: "You've challenged yourself to think outside chapters that seamlessly flow in and out of each other and instead jumped into a messy combination of art and story and Scripture."

Success is not the Goal!

Some of you will find this line of thinking weird, but I'm sure it won't be the first time you heard me share something weird.

I know we all long to be successful and need to feel significant. However, the idea of "looking for or aiming for success" seems to bother me a bit. I am not seeing a Biblical call for that to be our goal. And I'm just questioning whether it is a God-honoring goal.

As a follower of Jesus, I think that my goal needs to be obedience. And faithfulness. Not success. Instead of aiming for success, I think we need to be aiming for faithfulness and obedience. Leave the success part to God. How would you define success anyway? According to your parents desires for you? According to your boss? According to the world? Everyone has a different idea of what success is. And as soon as you start trying to define it and aim for it, it changes.

Luke 6:26 in the MSG says "There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular."

So, here is what I am thinking: Aim for faithfulness. Aim for obedience to the Lord and His Word. Leave the success part to God.

The ultimate goal of a Christ follower should be to hear "well done, good and faithful servant" (Matt. 25:23), not "you were successful"!

A true call to discipleship takes us out of the light and brings Jesus into it.

Donating to our Mission Online

As many of you know, we are in the process of trying to raise our budget to go to South Africa into missions for the next two years. We still have a ways to go! You can read more about our progress by CLICKING HERE!

Our treasurer is out of the country, so we will not have an updated percentage for a few more weeks, but we are encouraged with the commitments and gifts coming in each day.

If you or anyone you know is interested in investing in our family's call into missions, you can do so ONLINE in the following way:

1. CLICK HERE.
2. Then, simply type in the amount, designate it for "Noah and Tricia Kaye's Support" and follow the secure process.
3. That's it!

If you wish to set up monthly or quarterly contributions, just CLICK HERE, fill out the form and follow the instructions.

Let us know if you have any questions! We so appreciate you so very much!

Everyday Absurdities

I love to read. But, I read a lot of serious books about faith, life and ministry. Every 10th book or so, I try to throw in a funny one. One that makes me laugh at life some.

I just finished this book entitled "Everyday Absurdities; Insights from the World's Most Trivial Man" by Tyler Stanton. Hi-larious!

If you want a good laugh about random things that we all experience, grab this little book and enjoy. It points out the obvious about everything from reality TV to annoying servers to texting rudeness to public pools to public restrooms to awkward silence. Topics include communication, eating, travel, men, shopping, entertainment and "DBTG" (don't be that guy)!

Here are a few examples of what it's like:

• Shopping Cart Selection: My chances of getting a functional shopping cart are even less than the chances of me being a professional baseball player. Does the perfect cart even exist, or do they manufacture them with squeaks and hard pulls to the right?
• Ply: Hey Charmin, we're fine with two ply. I'm not sure who told you we needed more, but that person cannot be trusted. Instead of progressively adding more and more ply (to the point that we will be wiping with a beach towel), why don't you concentrate your efforts on something more practical, like, I don't know, massaging toilet paper of toilet paper with apps?
• I'm Just Sayin': This is a distant cousin of "bless her heart". I believe the thought process is this: As long as I slap this phrase on at the end, I can say whatever brutally honest and cutting statement I want without any repercussions. Well let me set the record straight. YOU just said it, and I'M still bothered. I'm just sayin'!

Saying Goodbye to our "Grandparents"

Sometimes it feels like my family tree is a Bonsai. It's just small. Barely a tree!

Here are a few interesting facts:

• First of all, the extent of family I have on my Dad's side is my Dad! That's it. No more (that we know of or connect to in any way).
• My parents are both only children. Hence, I have no Aunts, no Uncles and no Cousins.
• All four of my Grandparents have passed away. Tricia's too.
• So, the only extended family I have are Great Aunts, Great Uncles, Second Cousins, etc.
• Of that extended family (on Mom's side only, of course), we see most of them rarely if ever and barely have any relationship at all (with very few exceptions).

All that to say, we have a very small "family" making us all the more thankful for who we do have.

We spent this weekend in Ellerslie/Columbus, GA visiting with my Great Aunt & Great Uncle (Gordon and Elsie) and Second Cousins (Monty and Bruce) and their families. The time with them was precious.

But, last night we had an emotional goodbye...

You see, for the last 15 years, I have held Gordon and Elsie as my Grandparents on this earth (Gordon was my Popa's brother). And over the last 10 years, Tricia has begun to do the same. They mean so much to us. I think this is our 8th trip here in 10 years. We have just prioritized knowing what little family I have. It's one of our last connections to my heritage.

Speaking of heritage-- we named Davis (our son) after this side of the family...after these folks here in GA that we love. Davis is my Mom's maiden name.

Gordon and Elsie are both just shy of 80 years old and both are failing in health. There were days that we wondered if we'd make it down to see them before they met Jesus. We did! And we are thankful for it.

When we said goodbye last night, it was hard! We were saying goodbye to our "Grandparents"! We know that their is a strong possibility that we will not be back to see them until 2013 or later. And by then, one or both may be with the Lord. They know that. We know that. We talked about it. We cried. But, I told them everything I felt, how much I love them, what they have meant to me! We WILL see them again one day...for sure!! It just may not be on this earth.

This is all a part of finishing well to head overseas in response to God's call. Not easy, but the Lord gives extra grace for this and we are thankful.

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Here is Gordon & Elsie this weekend. And one of Elsie & Davis. Priceless Moments.

Honor; A Great Clip

Here is a follow up to my last post about HONOR. Below is a short clip of Craig Groeschel's talk at Catalyst. I think this is some really great stuff. I really appreciate the way that he sees generations working together. Take a moment to watch this.