Category Archives: Family

the memories

just wanted to share these . . .

pics of when we left texas,  there were 3 of us.  and in pittsfield, then family pic before we left pittsfield.  and then the last pic is our whole esca fam [minus matt c.  he was not with us] at thanksgiving right before we are going to move to texas.  God has blessed us with so many friends.  as i packed the memories came flooding back in.  I love my family and friends.

a big move . . . an exciting adventure

God has been challenging me over the past few months to ‘live the adventure’. To take every moment in and to not just go thru the routines of life, but live every moment on purpose. I have been asking Him exactly what this looks like in our life at this point. We were invited to join the staff at Riverside 2 and 1/2 years ago. It has been such a growing experience and a major learning experience for our family. A month ago we were invited to visit The Oaks to see what God was doing in their church and if that might be a place God was leading us to. This past week we have accepted a position to be Pastors for the Gathering which is the young adult ministry at the Oaks. We are so excited, a little nervous, but confident this is the next step God has for us. We are going to miss being in Illinois. We have so many friends spread across the state in ministry that we have made the past 10 years.

I know for us this is living the adventure. This is following the voice of God into the unknown. We already have made so many friends in Texas because that is where I met Sara and attended Bible College. Please pray with our family as we walk thru these next few months of transition. We are stepping out to follow God’s voice. I know that these next days will be the best of our lives.

the heart of the father . . . and mayo

many of you are familiar with my food laws.  [future post to come on complete list of food laws.  stay posted]  we were sitting at the lunch table today as a family and micah made a  comment about his disgust with any sandwich containing mayo.  which led to a conversation between my wife and me about how he is too much like me.  but in that moment i was so happy.  i love the fact that my sons are like me.  [which led to a teaching moment from Horton Hears a Who, but that is a different post].  Sara began to comment that he should not dislike mayo just because i do.  Then because I turn everything into a sermon I broke into my “heart of the father” sermon.

I said it is the heart of every father that their sons would be like them.  That is what God wants from us, for Him to be reflected in us.  He wants us to become more like Him.  so bottom line.   my kids dislike mayo and it brings joy to my heart.  when we start to dislike sin and injustice it brings joy to God’s heart.

are you bringing joy to God’s heart today?

this week . . . the trend is

Wednesday:
First Wednesday at Riverside.  Got to have dinner with @scotthodge, @creativearts, and @taylorphelan

Thursday:
Related Leaders Event with Scott Hodge.  It messed me up in ministry  [who has God positioned us to reach  |  what will it cost to reach them  |  am I willing to pay the price]  Those will be questions it will take me a little bit to wrestle through.

Friday:
Vision and strategy for United Spring 09.  It was a great day, and I am so pumped and excited about what God is going to do this Fall.

Saturday:
once again got my but kicked working out with @diamondslice.  lets just say I am not as energetic as i was at 18.

Sunday:
is to have my wife run jr high service so i can sit home and puke my guts up

comments on the cruise outfit

This is my cruise outfit
leave any comments
imagine me on a beach
styling


and i will be loading all
my sweet outfits into this
vintage luggage