my summer…

It’s been almost a month since I’ve updated, so I thought it was about time, and I thought I’d start by letting you know a little about what I’m up to for the summer.
I’ve taken a summer position with the Missouri Baptist Convention and the Student Ministry team. This summer I’ll be working closely with the full time Student Ministry team as well as living in community and working with 5 student interns that will be working here for the summer as well.
I’m not completely informed as to all that we’ll be doing, but I do know that we’ll be working at both the Super Summer’s in MIssouri, as well as the Global Encounters mission project in St. Louis. Doing office work in preparation for those events, and other various/random things I’m sure.
The part I think I am looking the most forward to is living in community with these people. There are 11 of us that are going to be living together for the summer in our Director’s house. It’s going to be great! I’m looking forward to developing relationships with these people, and getting to know them as we serve alongside each other
Anyway, I know that this information is really vague, but that’s about as much as I know for now. I’m looking forward to finding out more, and sharing with you as the summer goes!

mom.

It’s mothers day, and I thought a lot about what to get my mom … few things could ever be purchased that could really live up to the way that I feel about my mom, or provide the right amount of sentiment to get across the message of “I love you.” Although I do have a gift for her when I see her next weekend, I thought I’d write something to let her know what she means to me (because I know you read this “blog thing” every once in awhile!)

Mom,
I was looking at cards the other day trying to find the right one that would have a balance of humor and sincerity without getting too mushy, but still nothing seemed like just the right one, so I’m going to attempt to put thoughts this mother’s day to “paper.” To truly express in words everything that you mean to me would be like trying to fill the grand canyon with sand one grain at a time, or fitting the ocean into a cup.

I am who I am today because of the way that you and dad raised me. I couldn’t imagine (and never want to) having it any other way. You’ve taught me everything about life from the simple things like tying my shoes to the more complex things like being able to love myself. I’m happy with myself today because of the love and support and encouragement you’ve always given me. You’ve always trusted my opinion and had an open mind to what I have to say, not many parents today have that respect for kids. You’ve always listened to me and allowed me to make my own mistakes. I’m sure there have been times when you’ve watched me walk into situations that you thought might hurt, but the thing that lets me know how much you care is that you let me go into them. Had I been totally sheltered from life I’d never learn, and when life pushed me around you ALWAYS gave me your shoulder and ear, and the strength to push back. I’ve always pulled through.

… I remember every time your neck turned red and blotchy when I was performing at a concert or singing at church and the look of pride I’d see in your eyes.

… I’m thankful for the way you have encouraged and supported me throughout the years in ventures that maybe didn’t seem responsible at the time.

… I’m grateful that you’ve been my mom, and become my friend.

… I remember the way that you came to every game … and kept score on your little yellow legal pad.

… You were there every time I came home from a contest to ask how it had gone and were excited for me when I’d succeeded and encouraged me for “next time” when I hadn’t.

… When I stopped to think about growing up, I realized how much I you really did. With Chris and I both involved in everything, it was more than a full time job to get us to practices, games, work your work day, get dinner ready, clean up after us … the list goes on and on. You are a super hero.

… I have fond memories of summer vacations at the lake, trips across country, and family get-togethers.

… Thanks for bringing me lemonade on hot summer days when I was mowing.

… Thanks for telling me I looked handsome.

… Thanks for praying me through ministry opportunities, trips, summer missions placements…

Mom, I regret that I have wasted so many years in not loving and appreciating you and Dad in the way that the two of you deserve. But I want you to know that the things that you tried to instill in me were not wasted. I look forward to instilling them in my children, and leaving them the kind of example you’ve left for me.

I cannot express in words what you give to me without even knowing it. You are doing an amazing job being my mother, and I don’t think I tell you enough.

So today is one day a year set aside for you to be spoiled, one itsy bitsy, single, solitary day to focus on you rather than everyone else, when you’ve given every day of your life for the past 30 years to me.

So, happy mothers day mom.

I love you every day of the year.
Your son,

Eric

thoughts, discipleship, Jesus…

I’ve been reading in the Gospel of John during my quiet times this week. I love going back through the gospels and picking up on things that I’ve seemingly looked over previously.
The other day as I was reading I caught this little bit of info:
John 1:35-42
First off … John the Baptist was chillin’ with some of his disciples when he said “Look, the Lamb of God!” When his (John’s) disciples heard those words they up and followed Jesus … just at the announcement of who He was.
Man! Sometimes I wish it was like that for me. Instead, I stop and think “is this REALLY God?” I’ll analyze and re-analyze and OVER-analyze a situation. These disciples didn’t ask questions, they just followed.
Verse 39 says they spent the day with him, it was about the 10th hour. I’m not a Bible scholar, so I’m not sure exactly HOW LONG they had been with Him, but less than 24 hours I’m guessing. Then in verse 40-42 it says that the FIRST THING Andrew did was to find his brother, tell him they had found the Messiah, and BROUGHT HIM TO JESUS!
Gosh, this really spoke to and convicted me. What a great picture of evangelism. Andrew saw the Lord, was convinced about who He was, and immediately went to his brother with the intention of taking him to Christ. Now, I realize that only through the drawing of the Holy Spirit do people come to Christ, but am I doing my part by bringing them to Him? Have I lost the zeal/passion/excitement that I once had about who He is, and what He has done for my life?
Just thinking about this and trying to see the way Jesus started His ministry with the disciples … I’m noticing that Jesus asked his disciples to follow him … He didn’t ask them to learn about Him or anything, the knowledge of Jesus wasn’t communicated through lessons, or laws, or religious dogma … it was communicated through the living personality of One who walked with them.
I wonder if sometimes I focus to much on the “teaching/learning/knowledge” aspect of discipleship instead of just walking as Christ did and letting all of that other stuff come…?

Just thoughts I was having this afternoon…

Weekend… Live Love

Had a great weekend with my NLQ family. We led a retreat for the First Baptist Church of Sedalia youth group at a retreat center on the Lake of the Ozarks. It was a fun group of students, and we had a good time talking with them about Love and challenging them to “Live Love.”
Yesterday afternoon we headed from the retreat down to my friend Jared’s church in Tiff City, MO. They were having an annual FCA Day (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). There were a ton of students there. It seemed like a really neat event. They had been competing in a tournament all day with all sorts of events: softball, volleyball, tug-of-war, dodge ball, etc. We were leading worship for the service to cap off the evening. Worship went great, led a great new song with my good friend Bobbie. I love singing and leading with her … it’s hard to sound bad when you sing with someone as good as her! Then my friend Jared, who is the Pastor of Buffalo Creek Baptist Church there, did a GREAT job communicating a message to challenge and encourage us all from 1 Corinthians 9. Using a sports analogy to connect with the students Jared clearly communicated our opportunity and responsibility to run the race that God has put before us.

I’ve really been personally challenged lately with some things in my life. God seems to be doing something … calling me to some changes, etc. I guess this is where the rubber meets the road. Just like I talked with the students about this weekend, I need to start showing my love/respect for God by doing what He is calling me to. 1 John 5:3 “This is love for God: to obey his commands…” Easy to read, but somehow I find it is often difficult to make the changes in my life. I get so used to doing things the way I always have, etc. But, change is good … and obedience is even better. Time to stop saying the I love God and start living it.

weekends …

I’m heading out for weekend 6 (out of the last 7) for traveling to lead worship or give an Africa presentation. I’m blessed to be able to have the opportunities to do what I love to do with music and students. However, I am looking forward to next weekend … where I have nothing scheduled!
What should I do?
Any suggestions for fun weekend activities?

Hope yours is great! See you Monday!
Eric