3 Week Confession

Well, it's almost 1/2 way through our Sabbatical and I have to confess that I'm still trying to figure out this recharging thing.

Bill Hybels talks about three "tanks" that we should monitor: Physical, Emotional and Spiritual.

I've been trying to pay attention to my tanks and here's my confession...I've been running at Empty or below for at least a year in all three tanks, so God knew what He was doing (doesn't He always?) for this summer.

There is no doubt that my physical tank is refilling, actually, it's probably full. I didn't realize how sleep deprived I was and now recognize how most of us really are living sleep deprived most of the time. I've also done some Biblical study and am convicted that this is, let's call it what it is, sin.

My concern is that my emotional and spiritual tanks are still low. I'm asking lots of questions, trying to identify the leaks, and attempting to plug them.

My other confession is that I'm experiencing some guilt for taking an extended time off like this...even though I'm even more convinced of God's timing and the Biblicality of a Sabbatical. My guilt stems from the fact that, as I look around, I see so many of my friends and colleagues who are living at less than God's best and should have a time of rest just like this. It's a little like eating in a nice restaurant while a hungry person walks by the window...

First Game is over

The first game is officially done. I came within a dice roll of winning, but got wiped out. Jason finally put us all out of our misery,

We took a break and went down to the coffee shop.

Now, for a game of Citadels with just Jason and me.

First Game

For our first game, we're playing "Return of the Heroes" with Rylan and Brendon. It's a fun little game that changes every time you play it...Rylan won the last time.

This is Brendon's first adventure into the board game world beyond Ticket to Ride, which he's VERY good at. He's pretty pumped.

Let the games begin

My bro-in-law Jason and I have declared today to be board game day. We're going to see how many European-style board games we can play before we collapse after midnight tonight...

I'll try and remember to give you the list of games we play and the tally at the end...

Call me cowboy

Yep, I went and dun did it...shopped around a I found me one of them thar real western boots. Not the flashy city slicker kind mind you, but for real dress boots. Had Kiley's dad help me pick them out so I'd get a good pair picked out by someone who know what he's talkin' about.

Here they are...

A cool, er...hot, day

We had a fantastic day trip today. Our family, Kiley's sister's family and her folks all met up early this morning for a day trip to the Badlands and the famous Wall Drug.

It was hot today and the Badlands make it feel hotter, but it was a great day. We took a walk with a park ranger who showed us all kinds of fossils (they constantly unearth new fossils here, one dig alone had over 20,000 animal fossils). His evolutionary history of the Earth got a little annoying with "We all know that this happened 30 million years ago...blah blah blah." We bit our tongues and played nice even though we wanted to ask questions that would poke all kinds of holes in the millions of years old Earth Theory that everyone assumes is fact these days (BTW - if you aren't familiar with this, a great place to start would be to see the Ben Stein movie Expelled).

Once through the first loop of the Badlands, we stopped at the famous tourist trap, Wall Drug. We had a great time, ate Ice Cream (notice a theme on our trip yet?), bought some souvenirs, played in the water park, had a T-rex roar at us and then headed back for the second loop of the badlands and an incredible, but hot, hike. We took what should be some great pics that I'll post on my Facebook site later hopefully.

Now, some supper, a shower, and another board game...Jason and I played Carcasonne: The Castle last night. He won. :-(

They Pastor TWO churches?

Today, we have the opportunity to attend the two churches that Kiley's sister and brother-in-law lead. Yes, you read that correctly, TWO churches.

They currently pastor the Gospel Chapel in Gordon, NE. It has a long history and they are doing an amazing job of, in a sense, restarting the church and reaching out to a very difficult and complex small community. The Gospel Chapel's services are on Sunday morning.

They also planted a church in Chadron, NE, about 45 miles to the West. It's been fun to watch as they have seen true Book of Acts-like repentance transformations. I always look forward to hearing from them as to what God has been up to there. The community is another interesting one. It's made up of 3-4 distinct groups of people who are miles apart from each other in culture. I pray for them on a regular basis as they answer the call to reach this town. Discovery Church meets on Sunday nights.

I've spoken in both of these churches in the past and enjoy the people immensely. Laura and Jason are gifted at BOTH Evangelism and Discipleship and it shows in their people.

The most exciting recent event has been the Wesleyan District's commitment to step in and help them with resources and support. This should allow Jason to work some of his other part time jobs less, plus, and here's the exciting news, it will allow them to hire on their first staff member! They've hired a couple from right here in the community who have been helping them make a huge impact in student ministries, and now, they should be moving to a whole new level with them fully on the team. I'm thrilled for them!

I have to say that I am constantly impressed by Jason and Laura and their effective ministry. Their commitment to their calling to these people is one that is so often ignored by ministers today. I believe that they are in the right place at the right time and look forward to seeing how God uses them in the coming days...

We'll be attending the Gospel Chapel for Sunday School and church this morning and then we get to join them for a potluck (there's NOTHING like the food you get at a good rural potluck - I miss some of them from my early days in ministry in Syracuse -- of course, that's where I put on the weight I've been trying to get off for 12 years!). Kiley will run up to spend some time with her Grandma this afternoon (today would have been her 62nd Wedding Anniversary had Grandpa Ervin not passed away this last winter).

Then, at 3 or so, we'll drive an hour to Chadron for Discovery Church. While in Chadron, we'll do some grocery shopping. Remember...getting to the grocery store takes planning out here as there's not many that are close. :-)

Tomorrow, we get up early and take a trek through the Badlands of South Dakota the famous Wall Drug.

I think I'll buy myself some authentic Cowboy boots...not the showy kind, but the real ones. I think I'd look good preachin' in those...