daddy4ms

Mitchell, Molly & I went to Animal Kingdom on Day 4. We then switched to our condo for rest of week from Disney.  Today we went to Cocoa Beach. The kids were ready to get back to the ocean. Below are pictures from last two days:

We had a great time together at Hollywood Studios & Magic Kingdom for Day 2 & 3. Here are some pictures:

After a quick visit to see Bethany's family in Paris, TN, we arrived in Orlando after 24 hours of driving. Below are some pictures to capture our memories.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Yesterday, we began our vacation.  We are driving from Hesston to Orlando, Florida.  We will be stopping in Paris (Tennessee) on the way to visit Bethany's family.  On Monday, we continue to the drive to Florida.  I am excited about this vacation and have been for months.  You can check back to see pictures from Disney World, trip to the ocean, and pictures from the International Retail Show.  Regular posts will resume after July 4th.

All glory is God's.  Be reminded of the great God we worship today. 

Below is today's new book Friday. It was suggested I read it prior to my Guatemala mission trip by one of the ministries. I would recommend it for insight in differences between relief,rehabilitation, and development.  

“ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

In a post on Monday, I mentioned that one of the goals of sabbatical was rest. Another goal was spending time with family. This will happen as we take a 2 week family vacation to visit family in Paris (not that one, but in Tennessee), Walt Disney World, Cocoa Beach and the International Christian Retail Show. In addition, I am taking Megan and Mackenzie on a week long mission trip to Guatemala. Mitchell and Molly get to pick a 24 Hours with dad of their choosing. Below are pictures from Molly's trip to Kansas City to World's of Fun. How was it? I will let Molly tell you.  

Here are more promises of God from 1 Corinthians compiled by Kenneth Boa: We have been sanctified in Christ Jesus and have been called to be holy (1:2). The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1:18). The things that God has prepared for those who love him are beyond human comprehension and imagination (2:9). As God’s children, all things—whether the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are ours, and we are of Christ, and Christ is of God (3:22-23). Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in us, whom we have received from God, and we are not our own; we were bought at a price (6:19-20). As in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive; because we will be resurrected, we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (15:22, 58).

One of my stops during Sabbatical Trip 2 was to The Village Church in Dallas, TX.  I attended their worship service two weeks in a row. I also had the opportunity to observe their children's ministry for 5th grade and younger.  Here are a few thoughts from this visit: Matt Chandler and the Village Church have been taking some heat recently via social media. I was encouraged by Chandler's confession and repentance during the worship service. He was humble and gave permission for the congregation to contact any of the elders if they had been hurt by their actions.  His words and posture showed sorrow for his and others' actions Children's Ministry curriculum that is gospel centered and Jesus focused--I know this seems like a no brainer, but so much of the curriculum for kids is about morals and being good.  I appreciated Kid's Village (1st-5th) focus on the attributes of God. These are prominently placed in all of their rooms. See picture below. Repetition of them

Part of my sabbatical includes rest. So, 10 days ago I spent 2 days at Galveston Beach. No writing. No reading. No ministry visits.  No thinking about church.  Just sitting, listening to waves, napping on the beach, playing in the water.  It was wonderful! Here are a few pictures to remind me of the time:

Here is another great hymn of the faith.  Be reminded of the Shepherd who guides and directs you.  He is not angry or mad at you, but lovingly guides us.  Enjoy Ernie Haase and Signature Sound as they sing it.

Who would have known that 17 years later we would have 4 kids? Who could have known that you would be a manager at a Christian bookstore and we would be living in Hesston, Kansas?  Who could have predicted that you would be spending two weeks on vacation in Orlando at Disney World and the beach? (For those that do not know, Bethany does not enjoy traveling, amusement parks, beaches, dressed up characters, and crowds.) I am amazed at how we have grown together as a couple through the good and the bad.  As I love to tell people it was love a first sight for me.  However, that love is nothing compared to the love that I have for you now.  You are an amazing woman, wife, mother, and manager.  You are kind, funny, intelligent, caring, selfless, and beautiful. I know we won't get to celebrate today because of work and kid's activities, but you made me the happiest guy in the world 17 years ago when you said, "I DO!" Here is a picture from then and now.  Beach picture