Change is a Coming!
As I sit at my computer today, one theme keeps coming into my mind… Change!
This is the time where our students head back to school… Where our young children head off to the first day of PreSchool. Where other young children head off to their first day of Kindergarten. Where our freshmen head into different high schools and colleges. Where some of our adults go back to educate our students OR they are going back to get educated themselves.
This is also a time where the parents of the above mentioned begin to adjust to a different lifestyle. The house is empty during the day. The house could be empty as well at night as they have just sent their last child off to college.
Yep, Change is a Coming!
For me personally, there is so much change coming as well. For starters- I’m a new uncle. My sister-in-law Cheyenne had her baby, Isaiah Dean, a few weeks ago. I still can’t believe that my little brother is now a daddy! I know he and Cheyenne will be fantastic parents and I can’t wait to meet my nephew and can’t wait to be in attendance at his baptism!
There will be another family baptism this year… In just 2 months, Nicole and I will be welcoming our first baby into the world! And, for those of you who don’t know already… IT’S A BOY! It has been one of the neatest things in my life watching my little boy on that ultrasound, hearing his heartbeat on the whatever it is machine, and feeling him try to kick his way out of his momma’s tummy! It has also been one of the neatest things in my life watching my wife go through this pregnancy. I am so proud of her and know that she will be an awesome mommy!
Change is a Coming… In fact it is already here! My mom used to always tell me that when I have kids, my life will change… I will not be able to focus on all my sports because my focus will be elsewhere. Well, this Fall, I will not be getting Season Tickets for the Iowa games 
And, this past Monday, instead of watching the Bears on Monday night football… I WAS IN CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION CLASS! Yes my friends, CHANGE IS A COMING!
I pray that whatever changes you are going through, you know the ONE thing that doesn’t change- and that’s the Good Lord and His love that He has for you! Always remember the words from Malachi 3:6- “I the Lord do not change!” Let those be comforting words to you in this every changing life that we are living!
Change is a Coming… Enjoy!
Share the Love!
Valentine’s Day brings out a lot of emotions for people. For some, this is a day of love and romance. But, for others, this is a day of feeling sadness or emptiness as they might not currently be romantically involved.
Today, whether you are married, dating, or single, I want you to know that you are LOVED! You are loved by family and friends and most importantly, by the Lord God Almighty!
I have been talking a lot lately about loving God and loving our neighbors. Today, especially, I encourage you to share your love. To those people in your life that you love- tell them! To those people who you are upset with- make up with them! And, to your God who loves you so much that he sent Jesus to die for you- Tell Him and show Him how much you love Him!
As the Lord says in 1John 4:7, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God!”
Let today be the day you start sharing the love of the Lord!
God’s Peace and Blessings to you my friends!
Wait in the Lord!
Are you waiting for something today? I am. I am not good at waiting, I am not a very patient person. As you wait for that thing to happen in your life, I give you the Word of the Lord from Isaiah 40:28-31 (New American Standard Bible)
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired, His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly,Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”
The Lord is with you my friend. I encourage you to wait with me in the Lord and watch Him work! I know we won’t be disappointed!
God’s Peace and Patience be with you my friends!
Embrace the Season!
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven” -Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is a huge winter storm coming this week! I have no idea how much snow is coming- 10 inches, 20 inches, 30 feet… how really knows!
I have lived around this area of the country for my 32+ years of life. Every year, this is the time where people are just sick and done of Winter and want it to be Spring so much! But, I want this to be the year that I stop complaining and just embrace whatever comes my way. There are so many things in life that we just can’t control.
My prayer for you and for me is that we start embracing each day that we are given. Things may not turn out the way we would like them to, but we know that God is still with us and that He always will be! No matter what is going on in your life- embrace it… knowing that whether good or bad- it won’t last! If it is good- praise the Lord and embrace it! If it’s bad, praise the Lord and embrace it as well, knowing that it won’t last!
As for me, the snow may be coming this week, but I’m going to grab my snowblower and embrace it! How about you??
Peace to you my friends!
-b-
Victory might not be for the Bears, But it is for us!
I’m still upset. I didn’t like the outcome of the Bears game and I’m still struggling with it! I know- sports means too much for me! I just love my teams and I want them to win. I have seen many people saying, “it’s ok, they had a great season.” Yes they did have a great season- they far outplayed their expectations for this season. But the fact is- a bid for the Super Bowl was on the line at home against their biggest rival and they lost! That’s frustrating! And if you are a fan- you should be frustrated too!
As a sports fan, I love when my teams win, and I hate when my teams lose. But, we are all a part of something much more important than sports. We are on God’s team! And the great thing about God’s team… We are always victorious! You know, even when Christians die- they don’t lose! It bothers me when we tell people who have loved ones that have died that we are “sorry for your loss” Christians don’t lose! Victory is always ours because of what Jesus did for us on the cross! I love you guys and hope that you always know- Victory is ours- we are Champions thanks to Christ Jesus!
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” -1 Cor. 15:57
Blessings my friends!
Thankful for my Faith, Family, and Friends
14 years ago from right now I was at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics with my family. We all have a day where we will meet Jesus face to face, and 14 years ago, even though he was only 39 years old… it was my father’s turn.
I have gone to Iowa City many times over the years, including 5 times this Fall to watch the Hawkeyes play, but that was by far the longest ride home from Iowa City ever. I remember thinking… “How am I ever going to live the rest of my life without my dad?”
It has in fact been a long 14 years. I miss him a lot. He would have loved the career that I have and he would have loved Redeemer and the fact that I am working with Jeff Shoumaker. He would have loved Nicole and her family. Even though he was a wrestler, he would have loved watching her be a Chicago Bulls cheerleader, and certainly would have loved her other dance experiences with professional sports teams. It is unfortunate he never got to meet the woman of my dreams.
But, 14 years later, I can tell you that I am so thankful to God! I am so thankful that He has surrounded me with the best family and friends in the world! The Lord has blessed me with an awesome step-dad! I’m so thankful Jeff came into our lives, especially because he has taken good care of my mom and my sister. I’m thankful that even though I have a very large family, (my grandma had 15 kids!) we are a very close family. We continue to be there for each other and support each other, and that’s a huge blessing that unfortunately not everyone has. I’m blessed to have so many friends. I have had so many good times with all of my friends, I think I have forgotten half of them! God has put so many awesome people in my life!
And finally, I’m so thankful for my faith in Jesus. I do not deserve any of the blessings I have, but especially my salvation. I don’t deserve to live forever, but thanks to Jesus’ awesome love for me… I will! Thanks to His awesome love, my dad continues to praise Him in Heaven and someday, I will be re-united with not only my earthly father, but my Heavenly Father as well!
One of my friends asked me, “How did you ever deal with losing your dad at such a young age?” The answer is simple… The Lord is my strength and He is my hope! He has blessed me with so much but especially with Faith, Family, and Friends! God is so good my friends!
Thanks for being such a blessing in my life!
Happy Thanksgiving my friends!
Redeemer’s High School Youth in Service
Redeemer’s High School Youth Group is in the middle of a 4-part video series from Max Lucado, entitled, “Made to Make a Difference.” In this series, Lucado has been challenging our youth group to go out into the world and make a difference for Christ. They have heard many stories on how youth are impacting the world, and have been encouraged by all the success stories from others. Our youth have been challenged to take their faith to the streets! In response to this, our youth have been busy serving the Peoria Community in the past week.
Last Saturday, members of Redeemer’s Youth Group went to Loaves and Fish Soup Kitchen in downtown Peoria. They helped prepare for and serve lunch for the 200+ people who came to the meal. The youth did a great job serving the meal and witnessing to the guests who came to the meal. And, this Saturday, youth will be hitting the rakes as they rake leaves in two different locations.
Acts 1:8 says that we are to serve God as much and wherever we can. Praise be to God that the youth of Redeemer Lutheran Church are doing that very thing!
Jr. High Wait Till Next Year Cubs/Cards party!
Hey Jr. High people!
Come to my house this Sunday. We are having a party for you! We are celebrating the start of the new school year and the end of another disappointing baseball season! Come to my house, from 1-4 p.m. this Sunday September 26 and my wife and I will throw some meat on the BBQ for you! Come for a good ball game, good food and some great fellowship! Give me a call or email and I will give you directions to my house!
High School Back to School Event!
I LOVE Fall! I love that the weather is still fairly warm during the day and a little chilly at night! I love that all the kids are back in school! And, I love that football is back!
I would like to invite all of our high school kids over to my house on Sunday September 12 from Noon-3pm for a Back to School/Back to Bears party! Come over as we celebrate the start of school and the NFL Season as we watch the Chicago Bears first game! Brian will provide you with a great lunch, just come and celebrate with us!
Contact Brian for more info and directions to his house!
An awesome end to an awesome summer!
Last weekend was amazing! We had 29 high school youth spend the weekend at church as they came together for our annual Heart and Soul Weekend.
On Saturday, the youth were broken into teams and sent out in the Peoria community to serve the Lord. A team was sent to help with the American Cancer Society’s first “Walk-N-Roll”. Their leaders were so excited that we were there helping and many times expressed their appreciation. Another project was a car wash that benefited a local organization called Paws Giving Independence (PGI). In the end we were able to raise $600 for PGI which will sponsor at least 1 service dog for an entire year. Finally, our youth were sent out into the community and knocked on doors giving people information about Redeemer’s ministry and asking for food donations to fill our pantry at Redeemer. Through their hard work, our youth were able to collect more than 600 items for Redeemer’s pantry!
On Sunday, we concluded our weekend with a powerful worship service at 10:45 a.m. The Service was designed with themes and songs from the 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering. After the amazing Worship Service was over, we celebrated with some pizza in the Life Center as youth and adults who attended the Youth Gathering were able to share pictures, videos, and stories of how God impacted them during that experience.
This summer our kids have had a lot of great experiences and have certainly done their best to serve, love, and praise the Lord! It has truly been an awesome summer and I look forward to seeing what God is going to do with our kids this school year. They know what God has done for them in Jesus, and they are fired up! We are going to provide a lot more opportunities for them to grow in their faith and share that faith with others! Get ready… This is NOT the end, it’s just the beginning!