Impossible Debt

And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. - Matthew 18:25

We can't begin to appreciate the good news of the gospel until we see our deep need. Most people, even believers, have never given much thought to how desperate our condition is outside of Christ. Few ever think about the dreadful implications of being under the wrath of God. And none of us even begins to realize how truly sinful we are.

Jesus once told a story (Matthew 18:21-35) about a king's servant who owed his master ten thousand talents. (By the way just one talent was equal to about 20 years' wages for a working man - you do the math that means a lot). Why would Jesus use such an unrealistically large amount when He knew that in real life it would have been impossible for any servant to accumulate such a debt?

Jesus was fond of using an over the top example to make His point. The immense sum represents a spiritual debt everyone of us owes to God. It's a debt of our sins. For each of us, it's a staggering amount.

That is what the gospel is all about. Jesus paid our debt to the full. And He did far more. He also purchased for us a eternal inheritance of infinite worth. That's why Paul wrote of the "unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8). And God wants us to enjoy those unsearchable riches in the here and now, even in the midst of difficult and discouraging circumstances.

Without heartfelt conviction of our sin, we can have no serious feeling of personal interest in the gospel. What's more this conviction should and needs to actually grow throughout our Christian lives. In fact, one sign of spiritual growth is an increased awareness of our sinfulness. Are you aware of what Christ has really done for you? Think about it this week and thank and love Him for what he has done for YOU!

Just back to life

Well it is that time of the year when we all get back to the "normal" routine of life. Summer is over and the Fall is upon us. Well something has changed in my life this Fall. For the first time in 20 years, I have no child in the public school system. Yes, Tyler and Jamie are still in school but I am considering them in private school so that doesn't count.

So how is it different you ask? Well when the school bulletin appears on the door step, I am not going into a panic as to what things I need to get to and what meetings has been scheduled. That is over. So as I approach a different time in my life, I welcome your thoughts. If others have gone down this path before what is your advice?

Let me know. I start another chapter in my life and I look forward to it and am scared to death of it all at the same time!

Weekend at the Farm

Well it has been far too long sense my last post and I am sorry about that.

This past weekend, I had the great opportunity to interact with some great new Christian friends on a farm in Harlan, Iowa.

The annual weekend at the farm was hosted by Arlin Sorensen and it was just as good as expected. It offered, spritual guidance, great music, awesome testimonials and of course great iowa cooking.

The event is scheduled for june of next year and I highly recommend that if you have a day or two to be part of this, Arlin has a unique way of mixing business and God like no one else that I have ever met.

o one more thing, if you get time to read the book that we discussed over the weekend, I think it is a must read "Lead Like Jesus" by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges.

Taking a little travel break

Well the next few weeks, I am hanging back in good ole Grimes. That will be good to just get caught back up and get some connections reestablished. The fair is coming up as well, and you have love Iowa in the Summer, great food, friends and the weather is perfect!

Cindy and I in the woods around Lewistown. This area is on John and Lavina's farm.

This is the "new" house that I promised her when we move to Montana. What do you think January?

Obviously a cool hat at wall drug!

Trying to do that "cool" Montana preacher thing - how is it working?

At the wedding reception, what a cool place to have the reception.

I wish I could tell which one of Connie's girls this is, but man they can both do this cool jump roping. Now if I could do that I would be in shape too!

A break

Today is the first day of a almost two week vacation. Cindy and I are off to Montana with NO kids and me with no electronics. I am taking a break from the blackberry and the pc for this period. It is going to be very interesting. I welcome the time away from work but am wondering who I am without the virtual world, of electronics. This should be a great experience.

Ethan had a fun time yesterday, Cindy bought this 3D sidewalk chalk. I thought how could that work, but it does. You wear these special glasses and the combination of the colors and these glasses, make the images rise and create the 3D effect.

Here is the man with these cool glasses

He loved the glasses so much that he wanted to wear them all the time. I am wondering what he was seeing with no side walk chalk to look at?

Ehtan and the JD gator, he has plenty of fun with this. But I think he spends more time trying to take it apart vs. driving it.

And yes Olivia was there too, she is of course wearing her grandpa's favorite onsee - Pioneer logo!

It was a fun day, short but fun.