Last Night's Class

Last night's class went pretty well. The class was on GROW, and was well attended (which again made for a tight and very hot space in the prayer room). We looked at a few different web-sites that help in studying the Bible - check them out sometime - www.blueletterbible.org and www.greekwordstudy.org

Two Rivers Meet...Kind Of...

My wife took this picture a few years ago when she was traveling around the world. This picture is where two different bodies of water meet - but not really. It is the Amazon River on the left and the Rio Negro on the right. The thing is though, as you can see, these two bodies of water don't "mix." Because of differences in density and temperature, the two bodies of water stay separated even though they are in the same place. Every time I look at this picture it reminds me of how we are supposed to be "in the world" but not "of the world."

My Most Favorite Kind of Music

I've been going back and forth a lot in life on what type of music I like the most. I grew up listening to country. Partly because it was the only radio station that came in clearly when I was milking the cows on the farm. Oh those were the days - I will always remember hosing down the stalls just when Paul Harvey was coming on the radio. The milkers were swishing while the system was washing out. Anyway...back to music.

I love all kinds of music. I really appreciate just about every kind of music. I can't think of any kind of music that I won't listen to. Maybe heavy death metal. But even that - catch me in the right mood and maybe I'll flip it on. But I my most favorite music is definitely jazz. But just not any jazz. It's this guy right here: Wynton Marsalis. This guy is an animal.

Here he is in Moscow in 2006. If you want to see him in action, I suggest that you take a few minutes and expand or deepen your appreciation for jazz and click on this link and check out this youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfTmB_PLx0I&feature=related
Martin is in the white "t" on the left.

Believe Class

So, tonight at Pequea I taught the BELIEVE class. We had about 20 people and I felt it went pretty well. It's a lot of content though for the class and little interaction. Also, I'm thinking I need to clarify and hit a few things next week on Baptism. But, other than that, I thought it went well and I'm just honestly happy to have the opportunity to teach. I've been up since early this morning - went to the Prison at 7am in Lancaster with Pastor Dale but we had trouble getting in...it's almost 9pm and I'm just wrapping stuff up here at the office. Home to bed.

Crazy But Very Blessed Weekend

So this weekend Katie and I (thanks to Tim Ho) had another opportunity to go and serve at The Chinese Bible Church of Maryland. This was a great weekend retreat of a ton of students on fire for God. I have to say - I've done a good bit of student ministry work over the years - and these students truly are unique in their walk with Christ. They are articulate, and very passionate about worshiping Christ - so very awesome to witness and a blessing to be apart of it all.

Katie and I drove to Skycroft Retreat Center in Middletown, PA (about 2.5 hrs. from Lancaster) on Friday, I taught there Friday night and then we spent the night and I taught again Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon. Then, Saturday afternoon after a short conference with the Youth Leaders I drove back up to Lancaster to IMPACT where we had our monthly gathering and were so VERY blessed by the Gospel Choir from Eastern University, Angels of Harmony. Saturday night after this was over Katie and I hit the road to travel back to Skycroft, got in around 1am or so and then I got up this morning to do a final session with the students. I can't tell you how blessed I feel that God gave Katie and I the opportunity to serve this weekend in so many different ways. Here's 1 pic of the teens from the Chinese Bible Church -there were over 100 there - this was the only pic I could find so far on Facebook.

Norwegian Christmas

Here's a little video from our Norwegian Christmas. This has been my...3rd year attending. Part of our tradition is to gather around the Christmas tree at Katie's parent's house and sing Christmas songs and recite some Scripture. Maria was there in Spirit but knocked out for the majority of the time from all the Christmas cookies she ate!

CLICK HERE for our Bridge Connections newsletter.

An Effective Year

How do you judge an effective year? To me, if I can see God's hand in a certain area - that is His attributes apparent from events taking place, especially in the presence of adversity, then I conclude that not only is He at work but it is an effective time. In other words, if it looks like God has been at work over the past year and He has had His hand in what I'm doing, then I conclude that I'm on the right track. And, if I see His hand at work even during a challenging season then I conclude all the more that I'm on the right track.

One of the ways that I've seen God at work is through the work in Uganda in which I've been able to be involved. Despite the challenging economy in the states and the oppressiveness and corruption in the country of Uganda, Bridge Connections has had a very effective year. We have increased from 3 monthly investors to 11. We had a successful art auction, took 2 successful trips to Uganda this year engaging over a dozen in serving abroad including 2 individuals that severed for 4 months in Uganda. We've taken the Gospel message to a primarily Muslim village through the Jesus Video in their language, solar powered audio bibles, and bibles written in their native tongue. We've bought bags of rice, planted crops, purchased large bags of flour and sugar and raised over $7000 and broken ground to dig a clean water well. We raised over $2000 and build a safe brick home that is housing many orphans that formerly had no place to lay at night. We've given them beds and bedding and even have paid the school fees for some to get a higher quality education. The work in Kiboyo is oppressive. There is no doubt about it. The government is corrupt, their is famine in the land, the water is is diseased and orphans are spread throughout the country left begging on the streets in rags. I have visited churches this year in Kiboyo that did not even have the entire New Testament. Yet God is rising up many to serve, give, invest and care about the forgotten and neglected in Uganda. When many churches and non-profits had a challenging year financially, Bridge Connections had a record giving year. Praise God and to Him go all the Glory for what we've been able to do in such a short time. Here are some pictures of our work this year: (on the right)

It Will Brighten Your Day

CLICK HERE for a good laugh and a look inside our Christmas.
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/gg7PLYUgIro9u6svtaQH

A Faith and Culture Devotional

The book club that I'm currently in meets monthly to discuss a book. The current book that we are reading is titled, A Faith and Culture Devotional. The book has daily readings in Art, Science and Life. A great book it seems that give more meat to the devotional snacking (as Dr. Fairman would call it).


The first entry in this book is called "A Christian Theory of Everything," by Dr. Sam Storms, PhD, former professor of theology at Wheaton College. The devotional is adapted from his book One Thing: Developing a Passion for the Beauty of God.

In short, Dr. Storms explains that "physicists and cosmologists are ever in search for what they call 'a theory of everything,' an all-encompassing theory that can account for everything from subatomic world of particle physics to the galactic expanse of super-novas and black holes. He goes on to explain that the latest scientific effort to pin up a "Theory of Everything" is string theory. (Which, by the way, as soon as I read that I though to myself, I just can't get away from this string theory stuff!)

Dr. Stroms expains that the problem isn't that scientists have gone too far in trying to explain the existence of everything we know, the problem is, Dr. Stroms explains, "is that they haven't gone far enough!"


He suggests that if scientists would look the study even what is beyond the theory of strings there they would find that "everything exists for the glory of God." Here's an excerpt from the devotional that perhaps you might find helpful in devoting your day today to your Maker:

"The answer is that everything exists for the glory of God. Everything - from quarks to quasars, from butterflies to brain cells - was created and is sustained so that you and I might delight in the display of divine glory. Only humans are fashioned in the image of God. We are the only species that establishes schools and conducts research adn preserves archives of information. We alone have been granted remarkable capacities to reason adn reflect, deduce and conclude. We alone can glorify God by rejoicing in the beauty of his creative handiwork and relishing the splendor of his self-revelation in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ."

A New Series in Preparation

I'm looking forward in several weeks to sharing at Pequea a Series based on the 10 Commandments, out of Exodus 20. This series is coming from the influence that Alistair Begg, and his series "The Pathway to Freedom." I plan this week, above many other things to update my blog here with some Christmas video of the wonderful Christmas that I had with my family. I hope you'll enjoy the video clip that will follow this blog. Many blessings to you this week.

I don't know about you....

I don't know about you - but I've had many situations - even this week - that I've had to escape. Situations where I felt the enemy pressing in on me. Sometimes I feel as if I shouldn't give the devil so much credit. I don't want to be afraid of him or obsessively run from his presence of threat. But, at the same time, I do not want to foolishly underestimate his ability to get me off course in God's plan for my life. So here I am stand - just like you, determined to stay on the path that God has ordained for me - and trying to resist the one who attempts daily to oppress and throw me off course.

I would be surprised if you told me that there was nothing you needed to escape from. Are you so immune to the forces of evil? Are you so able to resist the tempter? Even Jesus was tempted. Why would we think that evil would be absent from tempting us? This then is what we must escape. For there is great danger in giving into the desires of the flesh. There is great danger in thwarting God's plan for your life, veering off course. Run the race! Stay on course! You know the call God has set for your life! Follow it - quickly. obediently. consistently.

What's going on in your life? E-mail me - ndkilgore@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you.

Art Auction and Writing Projects

Hello Everyone! A couple quick things:

1) I'm off here shortly to go to support my wife's non-profit, Bridge Connections, Inc. They are having an art auction tonight at Eastern Mennonite University. If you are interested in coming last minute, you can find details at www.bridgeconnections.org

2) What did you think of the message today? It really helps when I get critical feedback. I know I've been taking a bit of a different approach to the Christmas messages. Let me know what you think! nkilgore@pequeachurch.com

3) Anyone good with English? I'm in the middle of a few writing projects, and I can always use some people to look over some writings and give me some feedback. Let me know if you like to read! I'm looking for someone who enjoys reading and has some background/knowledge or experience in grammar and structure.

Have a blessed Sabbath! Above is a pic of Katie in a South African orphanage.

Persecution in North Korea

Take a look at this report that I just got - it's from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. The report gives proof of what is occurring right now in North Korea under the tyrant - Kim Jong Il.

PRISON WITHOUT BARS
www.uscirf.gov/images/AR2008/prison%20without%20bars.pdf

Time For Dinner

The Best Picture in the World

This has got to be one of the best pictures in the entire world.

Tonight we are getting a Christmas tree! Yeah! I'm very excited. I've also been working today on my message for Sunday - which is going to be on God's Sovereignty.

This has been a very busy week so far. Monday night we had Grow Group at our house, Tuesday night (last night) we had an IMPACT Meeting and then tonight we are going to be putting up the tree and working on some things for the BRIDGE CONNECTIONS art auction. I hope that many of you can attend. If you can't, you can still put in a bid on any of our merchandise by contacting Katie (bridgeconnections@gmail.com). You can see our goods through our website: CLICK HERE

"The Arrival" Follow Up - Sunday Afternoon

Wow - what a great Sunday.  Again, as always it was such an honor to be able to share and learn with you God's Word.  If you have your bulletin still, be sure to check out the questions on the back and think through them.  Also - these are great questions to discuss with your Home Group. If you don't have a Home Group or if you are interested in leading one, e-mail Beth Roberts (broberts@pequeachurch.com).

So here are some thoughts from the message this morning:

1)  We really need to challenge ourselves - our minds, specifically - to think about the "unseen" realm.  As I stated in my message this morning, Paul wrote to the Corinthians and the church at Ephesus about the unseen realm.  (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Ephesians 6:12)

2)  It's challenging for us to think about the unseen realm because our "material/physical" world is constantly distracting us with material things which consume our mind.  However, God is not only active in the immaterial/unseen realm, but He longs for us to be engaged an working in it.  In short - we must think with "eternal minds" and see with "eternal lenses," not to be worried or concerned about things that have no eternal value.  This was really hard for me to do this week.  I wanted to spend 1 hour a day in prayer preparing for the message today.  Although I was able to increase my time spent in prayer I didn't hit my goal.  It seemed like every time I tried to engage in the immaterial world, something in the material world was pulling at me.

3)  Remember the story I shared at the end of the message about the Oklahoma City bombing?  That father put his life on the line to save his child.  Jesus did the same for us.  When I think of it that way it helps me better appreciate the fact "that He came for me."

4)  Whenever I go to some sort of cross-cultural experience, children are always so happy to see me.  Often they ask me questions like, "Why would you spend all this money on coming over to see us?"  Or, "why would you be interested in coming to see us when you live in the U.S.?"  Or, "why would you put your life at risk to travel to see us?"  Or, "why would you leave your comfort in the U.S. to come see us?"  The response is always, "the same reason why Jesus came to earth for me."  Because He cares for me.  And I care for you, that's why!  Furthermore, this helps some understand the value in short-term missions and spending money on flying cross country instead of just sending the money over there - it's an act of love and sacrifice.  For most people I know, it's much more of a sacrifice to actually go cross-culturally then to just send some money.

*Be sure to click on the link to the right to follow the blog so that you'll be notified when I update it.*  

I Need A Miracle!

I need a miracle! I'm so excited about this upcoming message series at Pequea - "The Miracles of Christmas." The first week we will be looking at "The Miraculous Arrival," and, we will be taking a brief look at something called "String Theory." To catch a glimpse of what I'm going to be talking about, check out this link: CLICK HERE

This past weekend was a great one. Yesterday we visited my Dad's church briefly and Katie was there speaking about our upcoming Art Auction which will be held at Eastern Mennonite University - Lancaster Campus. This Art Auction is going to feature artists from Africa and the U.S. and 100% of the proceeds are going towards our work in Africa. I also had an opportunity to catch up this past weekend with Stephen who just got back form spending several months in Uganda. What a guy - hey if you are a single lady and you love Jesus and you want to meet an incredible guy - word is Stephen is on the market.

Here is a picture from last night - my beautiful wife reading to Maria! Thank you Jesus for such an awesome family and Lord thank you also for all of the so many ways you have been providing for us lately. Check out String Theory and let me know what you think! Please pray for the upcoming series that God will bless Pequea in a unique and powerful way.

Home at Mom and Dad's

i'm sitting here in a large overstuffed leather chair at my parent's house. yup - those are my feet being cozily warmed by a nice fire. katie and the baby have gone to bed and i'm working on a writing project i've been working on for the last couple of months. i've just been reminded this evening how good it is to always come home to mom and dad. don't get me wrong - i love my "own" family - katie and maria (and of course, the goose) but there is something truly special about coming home to the house you grew up in. so many good memories here. it tends to inspire me to write or read or study so i'm really enjoying being here tonight. tomorrow is an all-day staff meeting and back to ministry at pequea. we had good flights from Oklahoma (first to Kansas City, then to Chicago, then finally to Baltimore).

I forgot the camera...

So i'm supper bummed because i forgot the camera and i wanted to take and send some pics of OK to ya'll. it's so beautiful here...wheat fields and great big windmills and all. it's raining crazy right now tornado warnings and hail...i'm wondering if our flight will be delayed? we got a very generous donation last night and it is a major answer to prayer. we'll now be able to pay off our oil bill (which, by the way, gas here is 1.90/gal!)

Oklahoma 4 Down 1 To Go

I've been in Oklahoma this week doing a revival. The whole "doing a revival" thing is new to me. I've spoken several times for different youth ministry events but never several times in a row for adults. I've enjoyed it, and God has been doing a great work here at Bethany Church in OK. But, I'm looking forward to getting home and working on IMPACT things and also my message series which starts Nov. 30th. Katie and I are getting ready to go to a ranch out here for supper (which is actually lunch). We'll send some pictures for ya'll. Be back to the city soon. I've preached 4 times so far over the past 4 days and I preach my 5th time tonight on "Turning Hurt To Help."

Studying String Theory, Galatians 5 and "The Last Lecture"

Tonight I'll be traveling shortly over to York County to discuss "The Last Lecture," with a few friends of mine.  It's a great time of fellowship and also a great time of learning from the points of view of others.  

Today I spent a few hours learning from Dr. Fairman over lunch at the Schzwan.  It turns out that my Doctrinal Statement needs a bit of work and Dr. Fairman is just the guy to lend a hand.  I've found that he's balanced in his theology...truly balanced.  He doesn't make erroneous claims just for the sake of appeasing ego or man.  

One of the passages of Scripture that I've been in debate with a group of fellow believers is Galatians 5.  Some refer to this Scripture as a support for Arminianism because 5:4 states that individuals have "fallen away from grace."  More simply put - some read this verse and say that it means that you can be a Christian and then lose your salvation.  The complete verse is:  "You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace."  

However - the answer here is exegesis.  The answer is context.  Reading the entire context of this verse you'll find that the verse is referring to believers who began to hold the thinking that the act of circumcision would somehow make one righteous.  Paul rebukes that thinking and instructs them to hold onto a theology of grace, not a theology of the OT law.  The grace that the individuals had "fallen away from" was a theological grace...a way of thinking and understanding the obtainment of righteousness, not that they had fallen away from some sort of irresistible grace or salvation.

Ok.  Now that we have that settled.  I've also been doing some research lately on String Theory.  This really is interesting stuff from the area of quantum physics.  String theory basically is a scientific belief that everything (all atoms) are made up of vibrating threads of energy.  And that this energy is somewhat chaotic in nature, allowing for multiple dimensions to exist.  Basically, String Theory is a line of thinking coming out of the sciences which proves that the existence of multiple dimensions (for example, the supernatural realm) is a great possibility.  Here's some cool video sit on string theory:  CLICK HERE.

  

Struggle With The Blog

I've been struggling with this whole blog concept.  For a couple of reasons.  1) because I find it is very difficult for me to communicate what I truly believe about certain things.  For example, it would be inappropriate for me to post a blog about which candidate I'm voting for with the upcoming election.  Or, it would be inappropriate for me to detail a bad day or disclose information concerning close relationships in my life.  Yet isn't that what blogging is for...an "online sort of journal?"  2)  because blogging takes time and I try to spend my time very wisely.  I watch 30 min. of TV a week (if that).  I have no desire to do things that have little or no eternal value.  This has become even more of a pressing issue as I have just read the book, "The Last Lecture."  What a great book.  I would say - one of the better ones that I have read this year.  For now I'm continuing the blog saga, but will only be updating it when there are things that I feel are truly significant and worth peoples time to read.  Hopefully I've been doing that so far with my previous entries, but here's to new and renewed focus.

2 Years Looking Back

Katie and I are here at the beach...Rehoboth Beach to be exact. We drove down here after Leadership Community on Monday night, got here around 2am. And, we've been here for the week and it has been absolutely incredible. Friends of ours have a condo down here they are letting us stay in (which is really the only way we would have been able to get down to the beach this year). It's great timing because this week on October 7th Katie and I are celebrating 2 years of marriage. The big "2!" So much has happened in the past 2 years that we've been married. Just to give you an idea, here are the biggies of what has happened in the past 2 years:

1) Katie left her job working at The Arrow Project in Maryland and started a 501-c3 called Bridge Connections, Inc.

2) Katie and I went to Buenos Aires, Argentina and built an addition onto a house for a widow friend of ours, named Victoria. Katie took 2 girls from The Bridge (youth group at HCC) and I took 2 guys from the youth group.

3) Katie and I bought a house in Baltimore, MD and moved into 6601 Hampnett Ave.

4) I left my job at Harford Community Church and transitioned out of 8 years of full-time Student Ministry.

5) Katie and I took a team of 10 to Uganda, Africa to work with an organization called AROH.

6) I returned to Africa with 3 guy-friends of mine to scout for another trip.

7) I returned to Africa again with a team of 11 to start an official relationship with a village called Kiboyo in Iganga, Uganda, East Africa.

8) I took a job at Pequea BIC in Lancaster as a "Teaching Pastor" (which later turned into "Associate Pastor of Discipleship")

9) Katie and I moved into my brother's basement for about 3 months.

10) Katie got pregnant and gave birth to a beautiful girl, Maria Noel!

11) Katie took a job at Universal gym a few days a week.

12) Katie and I bought a house and moved to Lancaster City.

Over the past 2 years I feel like I have fallen even more in love with Katie. There are several reasons why, and I thought it would be good for me to articulate why I love Kate so much, and also how that love has grown over the past 2 yeras.

1) The greatest way I have grown in my love with Katie is how our dreams have meshed. I always wanted to be with a girl that I could dream with...and, Katie definitely dreams with me and in fact more then that - she stretches me to dream and broadens my boundaries. For example, I would never have dreamed that in the first 2 years of our marriage we would have started our own non-profit and worked in Africa. But Katie really championed this cause and I was wooed! Through that process I have grown so much more in love with who she is as a person and what her heart is passionate about. This is exciting too - because I feel that I'm continually learning more and more what she dreams about, and for me to help her (with the help of God) fulfill those dreams is driving me more in love with that girl!

2) One of the greatest blessings that I've been able to see over the past 6 months or so is Kate as a Mommy. Now, I will admit she is a fine looking Mommy...a Baby Momma. But more then that there is something very attractive and desirable about the way she cares for and nurtures Maria. It shows her gentleness, her thoughtfulness, her instinct and perhaps most of it it showcases her selflessness. I started out the first sentence of #2 saying that I've seen this in the last 6 months, but really I saw this when Katie first got pregnant and all throughout the pregnancy with the way she was careful about what she put in her body (and sometimes obsessive about it) all the way up to her determination in the delivery room.

3) Kate is full of surprises. And, the more she is learning she can trust me, the more I see herself letting her heart and character show. One of the things that initially attracted me to Katie was that she was a bit mysterious. She minored in art in school, individualized her major and graduated with high-honors, and often notices the beauty and appreciation in things that I'm too busy or blind to notice. Her ability to point out the beauty in things (like the poor, the the sun-light, pizza huts ramano-cheese dressing, and so on) drive me uncover more of the things she appreciates and fall in love more with the heart and mind and its beholder.

Slippery Rock, Grove City and Donors

The last week or so has been a busy but exciting one. Last week Katie and I left the church after the Theology Class with Dr. Fairman and traveled to Slippery Rock college where we met up with my cousin Adley. Adley's a great guy and among all of my 50 or so cousins he is the one in which I'm the closest with. Adley and I spent a decent amount of time together growing up and I was his youth pastor for a year or two. We spent the night at Adley's (an old frat house, now housing several college guys) and then had some breakfast with him in the morning. It was a great little visit. Here I am in Adley's house (left). Then the next day we traveled to Grove City, just a short drive away and met Dustin Goss there and also BC Interns Ben Allen and Shane Murphy. Grove City was having a missions conference that Katie was on a discussion panel for - very cool. I was so proud of her. She was the only woman and also by far the youngest on the panel. We have been gearing up for our next 3 trips this upcoming year. This past weekend Katie's parents came up to Pequea to do a marriage conference - 38 people attended! Also this past weekend, I very generous friend of mine contributed $5500 towards the work we are doing in Kiboyo, Uganda. Click here to go to our website to read more about that work.

Block Party

So you probably know that I had a block party not too long ago. Here are some pics from that day!

Top left - Adam and Regis getting ready to place some cards. Top right - a bunch of kids in my kitchen getting some face paint on. Bottom right - SNOW CONES!

THE SHACK

Shifting Gears Again...

Shifting Gears again this week.  Sunday was my wrap-up of the three week series on "You Asked For It."  This series was challenging for me in various ways, but it was so much fun!  If you want to watch a video of the message(s) you can go to www.pequeachurch.com.  I love preaching and hope that I get more and more opportunities to do so in the future.  

Sunday after church Katie, Maria and I went to Sandy Cove Resort in North East, MD.  This was an Enrichment Retreat for the Brethren in Christ denomination.  It was fun to meet some other pastors and workers in the BIC, and also to spend some quality time with Katie and Maria.  

I had a moment the one night (Monday night) where I was sitting by the Chesapeake Bay with Maria and I almost broke down crying because it was so peaceful and beautiful.  We were watching the sun set over the water and the air was warm as it wrapped it's arms around us.  

Today I woke up with a sore throat (major bummer).  But I've been pushing through.  Right now I'm sitting in the Theology Class with Dr. Fairman in YC1.  Here the view to my right: (what a handsome looking guy).  For those of you who don't know this strange bird, his name is Adam Markley.

What I Should Have Said At Pequea Church

When I first started blogging, I had named my blog "What I Should Have Said At Pequea Church." On days like today (after preaching on a pretty intense topic) I could really use some grace to back-track a bit and give some "after-thoughts." So, please allow me to do so!

1) We can have nice things in life...but we need to ask ourselves if we are using them for God's glory. (FTSOC - FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST). I know a CEO of a major cooperation in Baltimore City who had a very nice boat that he used largely to bless others and take the youth group on outings to go water skiing. I heard of another guy who owns his own plane and is a pilot and flies missionaries onto the foreign field. Another family I know owns a brand new camper and lets the pastor of their church use it as a retreat to get away anytime they like (hint, hint). Just joking - but seriously many of us own things we could let others borrow, or we own things we don't need that we could do without and we could use the money to build up God's Kingdom instead of our own.

2) Thank you, Mr. Generous. Someone came up to me after the service and told me they wanted to buy the well in Uganda. He said simply, "Drill it." Although my intent in showing the picture was not to get someone to donate to the project in Uganda, I will very much take this man up on his generousity. I don't know if he realizes it, but he will be extending and saving the lives of many children in a small village called Kiboyo. I am going to get video on the well project and post it here on the blog as soon as it is built. (for more info. on what we are doing in Uganda, go to www.bridgeconnections.org). Alison Fredricks is also having a fundraiser for the needs in Uganda by partnering with Isaac's - heres your opportunity to go out to eat and have the money go towards a good cause! You can contact her at aleeshenry@yahoo.com for more information. If you ahve any other questions about Bridge Connections or are looking for a way to partner, contact Katie (bridgeconnections@gmail.com).

3) How do we balance the money we spend on ministry at Pequea and the money we spend on overseas projects? This is a great question that I know many are wondering. This would be another great question for the "You Asked For It Series," because it really is an entire message in itself. In short - I believe, that churches should be pretty radical in making sure they are meeting the needs not only overseas but also in their community. We have an equal responsibility to meet the needs of those in our community as we do in the rest of the world. I also believe that as members of a local church, we must show support and respect for our authorities and realize that we aren't always going to do things the same way nor will we always agree or share the same passions. The value of being a "team-player" is perhaps just as important as the value of "stewardship."

Too Long

Again, too long until I did a blog.

Tonight, Friday, I'm down here at my brother-in-laws house, Joel with his wife, Noel and their newborn baby, Micah.  Katie and I thought it would be good for Maria to hang out and spend time with her cousin.  Here's a picture of our family in Greenbelt, MD.

Tomorrow is message review and memorization for Sunday, and a ride home and hopefully to the gym before bed.

Finally Groovin'

So I finally feel like I'm back in the groove after a week or two of re-adjusting from Africa. My heart is still very much thinking about Steve and Jolene, praying for them often and hoping to hear from them as much as possible! In many ways I'm jealous of the relationship they are gaining with God and the poor. Ironic, isn't it, how those two things go hand in hand?

This evening I have a class at EMU. This is my last class to complete my M.Ed. before my final project. The class shouldn't be too hard, so I'm looking forward to connecting with fellow grad. students and giving my mind some food. I started reading a book the other night, "The Shack." I'm only 1 chapter into the book so far, but it's a great read. Katie and I are reading it together, trying to do a chapter per night. This is also this month's read for the book club.

Last night we walked up to Giant to get a few groceries. It was great to be out in the neighborhood at about 11pm - talking to our neighbors and inviting them to our block party (which is on September 20th). Let me know if you want to come!

This week I start a new series here at Pequea called, "You Asked For It." Specifically this Sunday we are going to be talking about "Marital Maintenance."

Preaching To Muslims in Kiboyo

Sorry it's taken me so long to update my blog. I've been trying to get back into the groove this week and it's been a bit challenging. More of a mental thing then logistics. It's just that it's so hard to switch mindsets from doing church in Africa to doing church in the US. But, I better get with it soon here because I'm preaching next week! The "You Asked For It Series" at Pequea will be a great one. The First Week is on, "How To Affair-Proof Your Marriage."
To the left, this is a picture of us showing the Jesus Video in the native language (Luganda) of the people in Kiboyo. We had hundreds turn out and many accepted the Truth of Christ. I also have a video that I'll put on my blog that really captures the entire trip. Also - I HAVE AWESOME NEWS FOR YOU! We are now up to 9 SPONSORS! That's such an amazing answer to prayer. This money will go towards helping us drill a well in Kiboyo and also towards buying beds for our new building that we built. Please enjoy the video and share it with as many friends as possible!

Tonight, Katie and I are heading south to Maryland, because Katie's sister is having a baby! Maria is excited to meet her new little cousin. (this will also give me some time to finish reading my book, "Peppermint Filled Pinatas" so that I can start, "The Shack."

Home From Uganda

What an incredible trip. I have to say that the trip to Uganda was the best trip that I've had to Africa yet. By far the most successful and effective for Christ (that I can tell). The team had incredible chemistry and was abnormally competent. I couldn't have been on a trip with a finer group of people. Gosh, I love and miss them all so much today.

As you might imagine. I feel an incredible mix of emotions right now. For one, we just got a new monthly sponsor today, so Bridge Connections is well on our way to our goal for monthly sponsors. We now have 6 monthly sponsors and are hoping to have 15 by December. Just 2 weeks ago we only had 2. God has been very good. We also got a very large donation for $1500 from some very dear friends of ours. The increased support and unrelenting effectiveness is just confirmation to me that I am exactly where God wants me to be in Africa.

Over the next couple of weeks I'll be posting pictures, video entries and so on on the blog here...stay tuned!

From Jinja, Uganda

So here I am at a small cafe in Jinja, Uganda. Connection is super slow.

We showed the Jesus Film last night and many came to follow Christ. Hundreds showed up as we showed this video on a bed sheet and with a projector (thanks to Matt Schubert). I was particularly moved when a Muslim girl accepted Christ at the end and our team was able to pray with her.

The team had a rough week - good - but hard and testing. We moved a widow from her small hut to a nearby hospital. She was dying and unable to walk. We carried her and put her in our van and took her to the hospital. The hospital was the worst site I have ever seen. It was too much for many of the team to bear.

Last night when preaching the gospel via mega-phone in Kibyo some thugs arrived and tried to stop us from preaching. The Lord protected us and we were safe. Today we are taking the day off - resting and visiting the Nile River.

Will be home to Maria and Katie soon -looking so much forward to it!

Nathan

In London

So after a very uncomfortable 8 hour flight or so - here we are in London, England. The team was quite grouchy so the first thing we did was fill up our stomatchs at a little restaurant here at the airport. Things are very expensive, so we aren't doing too much. Some are sleeping, some are doing devotions and others are playing, "Canasta."

I miss Katie terribly, and I think the team may be growing weary from me talking about her and Maria so much. Oh well, they will just have to put up with it. I'm really praying that this team get's the most possible out of this trip for the glory of God. I've been reading this book, "Peppermint-Filled Pinatas," and it is really challenging some of my views on "how we do church." Specifically the author is making a case (and a very good one I might add) that the Jesus came for everyone and wants eveyone to be reached. Furthermore, I have concluded that the following phrases should not be uttered from God's people:

1) Let the churches in the city reach the city. (For example, you can't say that Pequea should not reach Lancaster City because there are already churches in the city. There are also already many churches in Millersville, Conestoga, Pequea, Strausburg and so on...does that mean we don't try to reach those people?

2) We aren't equipped to reach "those people." (In reference to reaching the people in the city. First of all, any time you start referring to them as 'those people' you've got a problem. The reality is their spiritual needs are very similar to ours. Furthermore, taking into consideration that almost 50% of Lancaster City is Hispanic, we should realize that one of the highest regarded values among Hispanic Cultures is the value of family. This, for example, is why many Hispanic Families have extended parts of their family all living under one roof. They actually value living together, not moving out as soon as you hit 18. Pequea just happens to have a thriving family ministry...why would we want to reach out and serve the Hispanic population in that regard?)

3) It is much more fun to experience life across the street then from our couch. How often do you have your neighbors over for dinner? How often do you watch each others kids? How often do you go out to the movies with them? Share life with your neighbors...you'd be surprised how much it enriches your life.

Ok. That's enough preaching for now. Just so you know - these things are things that I've gained from reading the book "Peppermint-Filled Pinatas." I highly suggest you pick up a copy! I feel blessed to be serving at Pequea but I do not think God is near done with Pequea yet - I think He wants to expand our thinking, territory and influence.

Off To Uganda

Getting ready to leave for Uganda! So many people have given SO VERY GENEROUSLY to this trip. Like, for example, the woman who walked up to me today and handed me a $100. I don't know if she realizes it or not - but that $100 is going to change many lives. I'll look forward to showing her since Dustin Goss donated a brand new Sony Handyman Camcorder. Melissa Markley also got a company to donate 7 "PROCLAIMERS" - a solar powered audio New Testament Bible in Luganga, the language of the people we will be serving. Thank you God for your mighty hand of Provision.

Revin' Up

This week is a crazy week as I'm getting ready to go to Africa on Monday, August 11th. I'll be away until August 22nd. The team that I'm taking are 10 Young Adults from various churches and colleges. We will be working in the village of Kiboyo with Pastor Martin. We'll be sharing the message of Christ with hundreds of orphans, the majority of them are Muslim. The highlight of our trip will be showing The Jesus Video and setting up a little theater. This will be quite the task seeing that there is no electricity in the entire village!

You've Empowered Us

Over the past couple of days I've gotten 2 more monthly commitments to Bridge Connections, Inc.  This is so awesome - this means that we now have 5 monthly donors to BC.  More specifically, this means that we now have enough money that we will be able to buy a generator for the village of Kiboyo.  A generator costs $240 in Uganda - we'll be able to buy this generator for Pastor Martin's family as a gift.  We'll also be able to use this generator when we are there to show "The Jesus Video" in the native tongue of village, and I believe many will come to know Christ for the first time.  So thank you those who have given so generously, and if you would like to give you can download our support form from our website www.bridgeconnections.org under the "docs" tab, or you can e-mail me nathandkilgore@aol.com  God Bless You!  God is moving!

Nathan

Will You Partner With Me

Well it's been a crazy couple of weeks.  Katie and I have been pushing the throttle full speed ahead to plan for our trip to Africa in just a few weeks.  In addition to this, we've been working hard on a new service format coming to Pequea in September called, "IMPACT."  More about IMPACT later.  For now, I'd like to talk about Bridge Connections, Inc.

You may or may not know I'm about to take my 3rd trip this year to Kiboyo, Uganda.  Kiboyo is a small village, greatly in need (no running water or electricity) and also predominately Muslim.  

There is a man in the village of Kiboyo named Pastor Martin.  Pastor Martin is a Christian man currently caring for over 20 orphans.  This is a miracle, because Pastor Martin has no outside help (other than Bridge Connections, Inc.)  So what we have here is a perfect situation for Bridge Connections, Inc. to help support Pastor Martin's orphanage by spiritually, physically, and financially resourcing the work that he is doing for Christ.

I have spent a great deal of time doing research, scouting in the area (this past Spring), building up connections with Western Missionaries in the area, and putting together a strategy for doing work with Pastor Martin.  Bridge Connections, Inc. has most recently sent $2000 for Pastor Martin for a small building to be constructed by the locals.  (photo to the right)

The work in Kiboyo has just started, and Bridge Connections is committed to the long haul.  We are taking 10 Young Adults August 11th-22nd to teach the village the Gospel and message of Christ.  We will spend a week doing a "Vacation Bible School" for the children in the village, which is about 200 children, many who are orphaned.  We will also be taking supplies to the village such as Bibles in their own language.  

I would like to build a well which will cost a couple of thousand ($2000-3000) and I would love to one day be able to build a few more building structures and possibly even an AIDS CLINIC.  Last year before we arrived one of the orphans died because they couldn't get him to the hospital.  Fortunately he was a Muslim boy that Pastor Martin had recently led to Christ. Kiboyo is very much deep in the African bush.  

Currently Bridge Connections has 3 monthly givers amounting to $155/month.  We are trying to raise that to 15 monthly donors by December.  Even someone who is willing to give $30/month makes a huge difference.  This monthly giving will make it possible for our future service teams to build buildings, deliver medical supplies, drill wells, and ultimately bring the Gospel and message of Christ to a very lost and forgotten village.  Will you partner with me?  

All giving is tax deductible.  Please download our monthly newsletter for more information on how you can get involved and make a difference.  CLICK HERE

The Launching Pad is Set

I know I should have taken pictures...Saturday night we had our Africa 08 team over to get ready for our next trip, which launches in August.  We had a Ugandan couple come and help to inform the team and prepare them for ministry in Kiboyo.  We also had a Doctor and his wife come and set up a little room to give shots to the team.  Steve and Julia (prior African Transformational Travelers) came and cooked an authentic meal - it was great!  I'm excited about what God is going to do in August - a little bummed that Katie and Maria aren't going to make it - but I'm excited about beginning work in South America next year.  

Continuing the Race...

This week I'm taking this class, "Teaching Diverse Learners."  The professor is really good - probably the best I've had in a long time.  Maybe he's reading my blog and he'll give me an "A."  Today we've been talking mostly about ESL and ESOL and Language Acquisition.  I'm a little stressed today because I have a ton of homework tonight and I have some things around the house to get done and I also am watching Maria tonight because Katie is working. AAAAAHHHHHH.  It's all good though...Maria is a great helper!  

The Good Samaritan

Yesterday was the end of the Recovery Series.  This week, I'm going Round #2 with my second M.Ed class here at EMU.  The class I'm taking is called, "Teaching Diverse Learners."  It's a great class and probably one of the best professors I've had here at EMU.  We are learning right now about immigration and how it impacts teaching styles.

Last night after church, Katie and I came home to take a nap and I wasn't down for 5 minutes for my nap when the doorbell rang.  It was a homeless couple that Katie and I have helped and brought to church on occasion, and they needed a ride.  So, I got up gave them a ride and came back home.  I slept for a little bit and then got up and Katie and I went to WalMart.

I just found out here in class that the United States is the 5th largest Hispanic country in the world!  Crazy. 

Anyway.  On the way to WalMart we passed this guy walking in the rain.  I said to Kate and Maria, "Ah, that poor guy - he's soaked!"  Katie said, "Well, turn around and ask him if he needs a ride!"  I hesitated, I've never picked up a stranger on the street before.  Katie said, "You preached today on the Good Samaritan, how can you not pick him up?"  I went and did a "U" in the road drove up beside him and rolled down my window in the pouring down rain and shouted, "You need a ride?"  He said ecstatically, "YEAH!  My car just broke down."  So we gave him a ride to his friend's house in the city.

On our way to WalMart I thought to myself, "I'm so glad my wife challenges me the way she does."  And, I also thought, "It cost me 5 minutes of my time and about $.50 in fuel."  That's a small price to pay to obey God and become closer to Christ.  How could you be a good Samaritan today?

Great Wind-Down

Today was my Father-in-Law's birthday (Katie's Dad).  We spent the day down here in Forrest Hill, MD.  Last night Katie and I went to the BSO (Baltimore Symphony Orchestra) to hear 4 Seasons.  It was a great night out on the town.  Last night then we stayed here at Allan and Peggy's house (the inlaws) and just relaxed here around there house today.  Here's a picture of their house: (left)

Allan (Katie's Dad) built this house himself several years ago.  It's such a great place to relax. Very peaceful.  Here's a picture of little Maria sleeping on my chest this afternoon while I was working some on my message for tomorrow:

Tomorrow is the last Sunday in the "Recovery Series."  I'm looking forward to spending the next several weeks preparing for Africa and also getting ready to launch IMPACT, the Saturday night service at Pequea that will start in the end of September.  

Rosa Rosa with Kari and Ryan

Last night, Kari and Ryan and Katie and I and the little Maria went out for a great dinner at Rosa Rosa.  The food was excellent, except for the cheesecake, which Kari said tasted like cottage cheese.  Ryan and Kari are a great fun couple.  I'm looking forward to marrying them in October. They are very, very fortunate too, because they are going to my Dad for their pre-marriage counseling.  He's the best.  On a scale from 1-10, I give "Rosa Rosa" a 7.  Prices way too high. Food was good.  Bad cheescake.

Working on my Masters this week...

This week is a very crazy week.  Monday-Friday this week form 8am-5pm, I'm taking my 3rd to last class here at Eastern Mennonite University.  The class I'm taking this week is called "Creating Cultures of Change:  Constructivist Environments."  The class explores practical implications of constructivist theory in classrooms.  It also emphasizes concepts such as reflective practice, student-centered learning, and process for change.

Overall, the class has not been stimulating or interesting.  I feel like I got a lot of this material already, which is a bit frustrating.  But, on the other hand, I have been challenged to think about and re-think about things - especially change in an organization and how to be a constructivist through preaching.    This can be challenging, but it works some - like last week I talked and begged the question a bit about the movie "The Passion" before I came out and labeled the movie.  Did anyone catch that?

Today we had a Ph.D. come in from James Madison University - the head of their philosophy department and talk to us about how philosophy and constructivist go together.  Monday night I had an IMPACT TEAM meeting at my house, where I got together with 15 or so people who are helping me to put together a Saturday night worship experience, which will launch September 27th.  

Last night I had Grow Group at Adam and Melissa Markley's house.  It was okay - Adam was immature and needs to grow up.  Just kidding.  More like Jeremy needs to.  Just kidding again. Ha!  Ha!

Tonight I'm going out to dinner with four people.  Tell you about it tomorrow! 

Hard Day At Wrok

"The Reason for God"

Being that I'm almost done "A New Kind of Christian" (I'll finish the book up today), I started this book (see left) "The Reason for God" by Timothy Keller.  I started reading this book last night to Katie and Maria - they both like it.  

This book - I can already tell - is going to be a good one.  Keller's book is the next read in the book club that I recently joined.  My Dad and brother are both in the book club, along with a few other guys.  I saw it as an opportunity 1) to push myself to be a learner instead of a media junkie 2) to spend some regular time with my brother and my Dad.  The more days that pass, the more I'm realizing the importance of family.  It seem that if I don't set aside regular time for this - it doesn't happen often enough.

From the first page of the book:  "There is a great gulf today between what is popularly known as liberalism and conservatism.  Each side demands that you not only disagree with but disdain the other as (at best) crazy or (at worst) evil.  This is particularly true when religion is the point at issue.  Progressives cry out that fundamentalism is growing rapidly and nonbelief is stigmatized.  They point out that politics has turned toward the right, supported by mega-churches and mobilized orthodox believers.  Conservatives endlessly denounce what they see as an increasingly skeptical and relativistic society.  Major universities, media companies and elite institutions are heavily secular, they say, and they control the culture."  (ix)

So true...so true!  This book is a great read so far - the author, Keller talks in the opening chapters about is search for social justice, Biblical Truth, and logical belief in God.  

A New Kind of Wolf in Sheep's Clothing...

I could spend countless hours discussing the strengths and weaknesses of this book - but I'm going to resist the urge for several reasons. On reason is, because there are many great thinkers...dare I say the word - "THEOLOGIANS" that have already spent a good bit of time reviewing the book. I have one chapter left - a good read. But, there are to be some cautions. Take a look at a few reviews:

• www.crossroad.to/Excerpts/church/new-kind-christian.htm
  
• www.evangelsociety.org/miller/anewkindofchristian-review.html
  
• www.westernseminary.edu/papers/ Faculty/A_New_Kind_of_Christian_review.doc
  
• www.alliancenet.org/CC/article/0,,PTID314526%7CCHID598026%7CCIID 1946990,00.html

Here are a few of my own quick thoughts about the book:

• McLaren has a great writing style, and it is an enjoyable and easy book to read. Anyone who wants to consider thinking about Christ in a different way ought to read this book. I applaud McLaren for his audacity in challenging modernity. His topic is pressing to those following Christ today and his themes are ones that will only increase in relevance as time progresses.
• I do believe that the book goes a bit too far in attacking the evangelical. Kind of like the baby got thrown out with the bathwater along with modernity. So, read with caution and discernment. Postmodern thought is nothing more then a reaction to modernity. Being reactionary in nature postmodern methods of defining truth swing the pendulum too far, loosing the value of balancing Biblical Truth.
• This book was reading material for a recent BIC class I took. I'm glad the book was chosen as required reading - it's a good book to read. However, the instructor of the course did very little to help the class (future pastors of the BIC churches) draw any sort of conclusion, specifically as to where the Brethren in Christ would stand on certain foundational issues of theology and eccleseology.

Charlie Bit My Finger

CLICK HERE!  YOU WON'T REGRET IT!

Sure, I'll Let You Take A Peak

PLATYPUS BREAK!  

So, you might know that Katie is a Penguin.  And when a penguin shares love with a strapping handsome man like myself what does it make?  A Platypus!  (a.k.a. Maria)  

Okay - here is a look into my life this past weekend.  I'm getting a bit more                                                 comfortable with sharing things about my life through this blog thing.  But, I have to warn you - if any of these pictures are abused I will take action.

On the far left - that's my Dad.  Also Known As "The Captain."  Dad served in the Air Force in Washington, born and raised in New Jersey...met my Mom (next to him).  My Mom has worked as a nurse and spent most of our life being a stay-at-home-mom raising 4 boys.  (Although many days I think she is still raising 4 boys at least 3 of them).  I don't know who that handsome devil is next in line.  But he is standing next to the most beautiful and I shall say sexy woman on the planet - Katie.  Why do I feel bad using the word "sexy?"  It's been so mistreated.  What a shame.  If I ever become a Sr. Pastor - that's my future elders standing to my left.  Jeremy Denlinger and Adam Markley.  Last - but certainly not on the bottom of the pile is Melissa Markley.   Whom, I might add if I have anything to say about it would be one woman I would entrust to raise my daughter if I ever had to make the decision.

And of course - yes ladies and gentlemen - that is a 3 in. filet.  Ruth Criss - you've got nothin'.  That's right.  You've got nothin'.  Your Cuban Black Bean soup - that's pretty good.  I'll still come back for that...And here is our table (sorry the other table isn't in the picture - that part of the party was a little rowdy).  

I can't wait to have another time of meeting with friends and family.  It's life - what it is all about.  Well I have to get back to working on some writing.  I'm here at Prince Street Cafe slavin' away.  Peace Out to the Nations!

Blessed Weekend

Tonight is Sunday night - I had a great Sunday today. I don't get it. Several things I don't get. One - why God has decided to use me. Why me? I don't understand why He uses anyone - but me? I mean really - me. And - He certainly knows my flaws - my hurts, habits and hang-ups, yet He continues to use me.

I prayed to Him this morning before the first service, "God, I'm increasingly feeling inadequate to speak your Word. On one hand - I'm glad because it's forcing me to be increasingly dependant on You. On the other hand - I'm no glad because I'm feeling increasingly uncomfortable."

This was a great weekend. Today after church I came home and went into a coma for about four hours. Slept very hard. And then Katie, Maria and I went over to a friend of ours house to visit her and her son. They both are very sweet friends. I hope we can spend more time with them in the future.

I don't understand also how single moms do it. This friend's house that we went over to - she is a single mom. I have such a renewed appreciation for single moms and how they do their thing - with Maria I've had to learn to do so many things differently and still am (and probably always will be) learning - adjusting - adapting. But I've had a help-mate - a partner.

Thank you God so much for Katie.

I got a phone call today from a very close friend of mine who was forced to leave his wife over the weekend. Another broken marriage. We are in such a broken world, you know? Who will save us? Is there a relationship that never fails us? Is there something that is much more meaningful, much deeper, then even the best relationships in this world can offer? Could that be possible?

Hopefully Melissa will e-mail me some pics and I can post some scenes from Tio Pepe's. That's where I was Friday night. About 20 of us threw a party - the first annual "Sola Scriptura" party to combat and defend some of the anti-evangelicals.

They've Got Nothing

I've been reading through this book "The Devil's Delusion," and I've come to the understanding that atheists and agnostics have absolutely nothing.  They have nothing - it's a big joke.  Scientists have proudly staked their claim, mostly through the liberal media and the public school system, that there is proof that God does not and/or cannot exist.  

Yet, this book (which is ironically written by an agnostic) explains that scientists have nothing - no evidence, no explanation, no fossils, nothing.  "Has anyone provided a proof of God's inexistence?  Not even close.  Has quantum cosmology explained the emergence of the universe or why it is here?  Nope.  Have the sciences explained why our universe seems to be fine-tuned to allow for the existence of life?  Nope.  Are physicists and biologists willing to believe in anything so long as it is not religious thought?  yup."  This David Berlinski, who is a agnostic Jew writes in his book, using scientific terms, data and explanations to proof that scientists have come up empty handed.  He's a sharp guy - a genius really.  Goes into string theories and everything.  His opponent is this guy the leader of militant atheism, Richard Dawkins.  

Another crazy week!  So much going on - busier as ever but not quiet as overwhelmed.  Praise God for some rest this week an the ability to catch up to myself.

I started reading a book today called "The Devil's Delusion."   The sub-title is "Atheism and It's Scientific Pretensions."  This book is definitely one of the more scholarly books that I have read in a a long time.  I do recommend it though - so far the book is discussing the tensions between religion and science.   The author seems to be claiming that you must side with one or the other - that you cannot side with both.  

The Calm Before The Storm

It's interesting - contemplative - what my mind goes through the day before I preach.  I really - honestly - most of the time - feel very undeserving of preaching.  I heard a preacher recently say, "I am nothing - let's see God what you can do with nothing."  Tomorrow - once again - we'll see what God can do with nothing.

Today I'm just around the house doing small jobs here and there.  Praying as I go about things - murmuring and fumbling through some ideas for tomorrows message.  Thank God today for all He gives to us and all He does with us.  

Groovin' Along

So last night Katie, Maria and I went down to my parents house - actually to my old elementary school to see my niece and nephew in a play. It was very jive. Great to spend some time with the family. After that we went back to my parents house to hang for a bit with my oldest brother and his family (Justin and Betsy). Allow me to introduce you to one of my nephews...I have 5 nephews and 2 nieces. This is Nolan Ryan Kilgore:

This morning I'm sitting here at Prince Street Cafe - one of my favorite places here in downtown Lancaster City. It's such a great place to go to meet some people from the community and to get some writing done without too many distractions. Today I'm working on my message for this week and next. This week: "Come and Drink." Next week: "Give Me The Yoke."

Check out this week's UTUBE "must see." This is truly amazing: CLICK HERE

At Mom and Dad's

Last night Katie, Maria and I went down to my parent's house for dinner.  It was great - we had BLT's.  Then we all went for a walk around the pond.  Such a relaxing evening.  Then, we stopped in at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Q-ville.  (Ron and Lisa Kilgore).  It was a great night.  The only challenge was I didn't get to bed until 1am or so - I'm very tired.  

J-Dogg (my boss) just came in and told me I need to send him the message for Sunday.  So I got to go - but before I do - look at this video from utube - it's hilarious.  FUNNY - CLICK HERE

Recovery Series

Welcome to Pastor's Row!

Today I put the finishing touches on my message for Sunday.  I'm looking forward to what God is going to do and how He'll move throughout the next 8 weeks!  This is a big series for me here at Pequea - I'm going to be in the saddle quite a while.  Here is an e-mail I just sent off to the GAP Team - (the Prayer Team here at Pequea).  

I wanted to take a moment today and to write to all of you.  I want to express to you the importance of your role in prayer for my upcoming message series, "Recovery Starts Here."

It seems that every time I come to the pulpit to preach a message - God has already been teaching me a lesson in my own life.  This upcoming series is no exception.

"Recovery Starts Here" is a message series that will focus on helping us to recover from our hurts, habits and hang-ups in life.  We all have these. 

I think about the way that I habitually try to do too much and find myself at times to thin to cover the important things in life.  I think about how I habitually ignore going into solitude to spend time with God.  Hang-ups?  I've got plenty of those too.  And hurts?  Let me just share one with you.

I am the youngest of four boys - I have three older brothers.  All of my brothers are married and have children of their own.  All of them live in York County and are very active in my Dad's church, New Covenant.  My brothers all serve on the church board or are on the worship team or serve on some sort of committee - all very involved in following Christ.

About six months ago my Dad called me down to the house and they took me and Katie into the living room and they told us that something horrible was going on in our immediate family.  I felt numb and caught completely off guard.  You have to understand I grew up in not a "perfect" family but certainly a healthy and functional one.

My Dad went on to describe to me that one of my brothers was having an affair.  This brother of mine was on the worship team at my Dad's church.  He had a regular accountability partner he met with.  If you would have asked me a year ago which of my brothers was closest to Christ and least likely to have an affair - I would have named this brother.  

I cannot explain to you or put words to the feelings and emotions that I've been wrestling with for the past several months.  I was hurt and felt pain like I had never felt before, and I'm continuing to process that pain even as I write this e-mail to you.   I'm limping along - hobbling - trying to regain my balance and pace to run the race.

Please pray that God would keep this experience fresh in my mind.  Pray that He keeps the pain fresh so that I might be able to best relate and communicate the message of recovery.  

Pray that God would grow our church throughout the next 8 weeks, not merely numerically but specifically spiritually and in the area of recovery.  Please pray that the Holy Spirit would enable vulnerability, honesty and conviction among the congregation.  

Also please pray that I would hear and discern God correctly in the things that He speaks to me both in preparation of the sermon and delivery.  Pray that God would help me to preach with humility, authenticity and power.

I recently visited a church in the area with the rest of the Pequea Staff.  The Pastor was quick to admit that the success and effectiveness of their church was because everything they do is bathed in prayer.  This reality became clear to me once again, that, as one author says, "We can do no thing of great power without doing the prayer thing."

Let's do the prayer thing!