POST 2024 ELECTION PLANS

The 2024 election is over. How do you feel today? 

Do you feel relief?
Are you depressed?
Maybe you are wondering what to do now? 

Here is what I am determined to do moving forward: 

1. I plan to continue investing. I want to pour my life and my treasure into the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 6:25-33) 

 2. I plan to keep working for equality. In Christ, there is no Greek or Jew, male or female, slave or free. We are all one in Him. (See Galatians 3:28)

3. I plan to help those who are less fortunate. Pure religion is taking care of widows and orphans. (See James 1:27) 

 4. I plan to fight against the pollution of the world. (See James 1:27 again)

5. I plan to enjoy life! Consider these words from the Apostle Paul found in 1 Timothy 6:17: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." 

6. I plan to pray for our leaders. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 we read: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1 – 2)

7. I plan to keep trusting in the Lord. He is the One who is ultimately in control.  

This is my plan for today, and tomorrow, and all of the days after that. 

What are your post-election plans? 

MONDAY MUSINGS...

Random thoughts on a Monday... 

It is good to get away with your family and relax. It is REALLY good when you have 2 bathrooms in your condo. 

Assassination attempts are scary and I pray that our 2024 elections will not be impacted by any violence against the candidates and their families.  

It's not fun to be away from home when there is a big excavation project happening in your backyard. (Our pond is being filled in, but we didn't know they were going to do this on the dates we were out of town.) 

The Cincinnati Bengals looked like the better football team on Sunday playing against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, too many mistakes and a lack of self-discipline were the difference between winning and losing. There's a reason the Chiefs are going for their 3rd Super Bowl win in a row... and it's not because they argued with a ref about not getting the call they wanted. (I'm looking at you Chase...) 

When I was younger I did not enjoy going to water parks, but now that I'm going with Amanda and Lilly, I love them! 

It is always encouraging for me and Amanda to visit with our friends at Kissimmee Christian Church in Florida. I love seeing the impact of the ministry they are doing there. 

It's been fun to go out to eat at restaurants on our vacation... something we rarely do at home. But now I'm looking forward to getting back and eating our normal food again. 

How is September half way over already??? 

Does Green Day still ask people to wake them up when September ends? 

I could totally become a coffee drinker... but I don't want to start the habit. (Or spend the money on it!) lol 

MONDAY FUNDAY: MAYO NEIGHS

 

BABY STEPS

Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Those small steps will add up, and you'll be at your goals before you know it. 

NEW DAY, NEW POSSIBILITIES

 

ROOTED JOURNAL (for women)

 Check out the new ROOTED JOURNAL that I designed for my wife Amanda! It makes a great Mother's Day gift. 

The journal is available on Amazon now. Click HERE to purchase. 

MONDAY FUNDAY: COW DILEMMA

MONEY MINDSET #FinanceFriday

Can you believe I looked forward to splitting another Chipotle bowl with Amanda? It's all about your mindset...

JESUS STYLE SUCCESS

For the first time in 44 years, the Purdue Boilermakers Men’s Basketball team will be playing in the Final 4 this weekend. Coach Matt Painter and 7’4” center Zach Edey have led the Boilers to a successful season. 

Success is unfortunately becoming viewed as a bad word by many in our culture. They reason if you are successful then you have hurt others or wronged them in order to get ahead in life. 

If we want to know what success in life truly is, we should look to Jesus’ example because Jesus redefines success. 

Jesus was both loved and hated. That tells us success does not necessarily mean popularity. As followers of Jesus, you will also be both loved and hated. 

In the book of Matthew, Jesus’ ministry is summarized by saying: 
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:35-38 NIV) 

In word and action, Jesus brought the reality of God’s presence and Kingdom into the lives of those around Him. This is what Jesus style success look like and this is what you and I are called to imitate. To achieve success like Jesus, you need to model your life on Jesus and share His vision. 

Why? 

Because the need is urgent. 


Jesus saw that ‘they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd’ (v.36). Today, we see so many people around us who don’t know Jesus and are spiritually lost. In addition to that, we see many who are in need of the basics of life. The need is urgent. We need to pursue Jesus style success. 

Why? 

Because of love. 


Jesus had compassion (v.36). His heart broke when He saw the condition of the people. Jesus loved them all. 

Jesus was not concerned with the people having worldly success or importance, but He knew true success is knowing God and being faithful to Him. This is why Jesus told His disciples to pray that God would raise up more people to follow Jesus’ example of success and bring in a huge harvest of people.  

Will you follow the success model of Jesus in your life?
Will you share in His mission and allow God to multiply yourself?
That’s true success. 

NEW BAPTISTERY SLIDE COMING SOON!

I'm excited to announce today, April 1, 2024, that we will be adding a new waterslide to our baptistery at Grissom!! I must confess that I did not expect our church leadership, Mark Torkelson and Terry Carter, to approve this idea, but these two men are men of faith and vision and they know serving the Lord is a joy and a blessing! 

"We cannot think of a better way to begin your new life with Christ than joyfully sliding into the baptistery." - statement from the Grissom eldership.  

Installation will begin next week. A waiting list for baptisms has already seen several spots filled... mostly by kids in Jr. Church and the ladies Bible study group.