From One Degree to Another

The year ended in an incredible way. Preached on the characters of Christmas on Sunday mornings: Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Got to do lots of reading and had a meeting with the Elders, men, and other people. Fought video problems in auditorium a lot, but got those solved by the end of the month. Did many festive things: parties, fellowships and enjoying friends and family. Ended the year traveling to my Mom’s which meant we celebrated Christmas with Meg’s family before the 22nd. Was able to get some thinking done about long-term personal planning for 2009. All in all, while the beginning of the year began with me praying about where God would have me, God seemed to confirm His calling in my life toward the end. I praise Him for a great 2008. More on where I’m headed in 09 later.

November continued with the busy pace I had set in August: meetings with Elders, men, pre-marital, discipline in eating/exercise and other administrative things. Enjoyed a report from one of our missionaries and church wide fellowships in this month. Officiated Theoden and Katie Wedel’s wedding. Voted and watched another candidate take the presidency. Hosted Joe Braden for our church’s Bible Conference on Loving Relationships in the Church. Preached at Dale Baker’s ordination in Kansas City. Watched my first KState football game at K-State. Continued preaching through Mark 12. Celebrated Thanksgiving. Watched with joy as our congregation met budget on the last week of this month. Devoured the book Because He Loves Me. We met our Thanksgiving offering goal as a church, too – which will greatly help one of our missionaries. As November ended finished preaching on Mark 12.

In October, enjoyed listening to the DG National Conference on the Power of Words. Good encouragement here. Enjoyed Elders Meetings, fellowship with men, couples, pre-marital work and other appointments. Continued preaching through Mark 12 and small groups began considering a ministry project in Hutchinson. Relaunched HomeWord for fall, looking on how marriage is to be esteemed. Got good reports from my doctor about my health. Had some work done on the truck. Wed PM class continued to work through Sermon on the Mount. Read Power Encounters. Got to speak at Spiritual Emphasis week at Central Christian. Had a good time dressing up Andrew on 31st.

Continued preaching through Mark, beginning chapter 11. Was pretty disciplined in eating, exercise, meeting with men, planning and seeking to serve family. Worked to serve Mae Schletzbaum’s family as she passed on to glory. Worked on some Scripture memory as well. Wed PM class started up studing Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ Studies on Sermon on the Mount, Vol. 2. Went to KC with Jimmy on a quick trip to watch Hutch High play at KC Rockhurst. Fair was in Hutch and that meant busy, busy, busy around town. Meg works at fair in girl scout booth. Read James McPherson’s Mighty Scourge. Watched Renee play some vball in Sterling. Meg started working with Mary Kay stuff. Finished Lincoln and 2nd American Revolution. Continued meetings with Elders, men and some premarital counseling work. Attended Shane and Shane concert.

As August began, we were at my Mom’s and I continued helping build that deck. Most of us were sick while we were there. We were blessed in so many ways during this trip. Came back to town and was immediately hit with some issues and felt swamped pastorally, but God was faithful to focus my attention back on Him and to give me encouragement through His Word and others. Continued preaching through Ruth in AM and on God’s Word in PM. Read Radical Reformission, Whiter than Snow, and Addictions by Ed Welch. Ended up being dealt with by God in huge ways to reconsider why I eat and how I eat. This led me to strict discipline in eating during the Fall (which would result in some 53 lbs. being lost). Celebrated my 4th Anniversary with Meg. So grateful for God’s gift of her as my wife. Ended month reviewing Mark’s Gospel (chapters 1-10) in a sermon.