Sydnie goes to the dentist (Papa)

Race Day

This past Saturday was the 5k through our neighborhood, in which Heather participated.  I participated...if you count eating donuts, watching the kids, and cheering her on from the sidelines.  Anyway, the highlight of the morning may have been the "kids race"...can't begin to describe how excited Sydnie was about this.  She got to participate in the 200 yard kids run.  She made sure she told everyone at the starting line "My name is Sydnie.  I'm fast."  Enjoy some pics posted below, and newly added pics under January/February photo album.  New shots from Wisconsin trip and the race...though  you'll have to scroll a few pages.

Advice for Preachers :: Matt Chandler

Good, good stuff. 

David Wilcox new cd :: Airstream

Link: David Wilcox.

Just downloaded this morning. Couldn't wait until March. Gave it one listen this morning and enjoying so far. You can audio stream all the songs before you buy.

My friends have come home

Apologetic Preparation

Although I am completely jacked about Tim Keller's new book, I also admittedly have not spent a lot of time reading the "other side."  In essence, books by the skeptics, atheists, etc. that Keller has in mind for his audience.  So at the airport earlier this week, I picked up this short little book entitled A Letter to a Christian Nation, by atheist Sam Harris.  Though not the easiest book to read (not because it was difficult to understand, b/c the writing is quite captivating--more b/c of the content of his critique of Christians).  For what it's worth, I would recommend this book.  Certainly not because I agree with all of the contents, but because as Christians we should know the "other side"(s).  Harris raises some great questions that I need to be better prepared to handle.  To that end, I hope Keller's book will serve as a great resource.  It was very challenging to confront questions and see Christianity through someone else's eyes.  The book conjures up a nice range of emotions...at least it did for me.  By the end, after some anger on my part, Jesus' words of loving your enemy kept resurfacing.  What does it look like to love those who are so opposed to Christianity and think I am an absolute moron for believing?  Seems like this can only be done through a posture of humility. 

As an aside...Heather and I are at a coffee shop in Minocqua, WI, ready to drive to the airport to head back home.  Please pray for safe and quick travel.  We can't wait to see our girls!  We've had a great trip, but we definitely miss them.

Peace.

Wisconsin day two

Absolutely beautiful day of x-country skiing. Though we miss our kids,

this is such a good time for Heather and me. We feel like we can

actually think, talk, process, dream, etc. Looking forward to more of

the same tomorrow. Peace.

You know you're in Wisconsin when...

Off to Wisconsin

We have left sunny Florida and we are waiting on our delayed flight out of O'Hare. Soon enough we will be in the sub-freezing temperatures of Northern Wisconsin. So grateful that Heather and I are getting some time just the two of us. We will be doing some cross country skiing and just hanging out together. Hopefully this will include a nap as we left the house at 4 am this morning after going to bed at 12:30 am. Hopefully we can post some pics while we are up there.

Tim Keller Article & Free downloads

Newsweek did a write up on Keller and his forthcoming book.  You can read the article here.

Keller responds to the article on Ed Stetzer's blog

Lastly, you have to get these teachings.  Definitely worth a listen.  I've gone through 3 of them already and looking forward to the rest.  They all deal with a common objection to Christianity.  Keller's new book is centered on dealing with these questions.  Good stuff.  Heavy stuff, but handled in a very understandable and winsome way.  These are all from Redeemer's site.

Exclusivity: How an there be just one true religion?
Suffering: If God is good, why is there so much evil in the world?
Absolutism: Don't we all have to find truth for ourselves
Injustice: Hasn't Christianity been an instrument for oppression?
Hell: Isn't the God of Christianity an angry Judge?
Doubt: What should I do with my doubts?
Literalism: Isn't the Bible historically unreliable and regressive?

We've Moved

Well sort of.  We moved into our almost complete bedroom addition this past weekend.  Risking the chance of being perceived as ostentatious, I will proceed anyway in posting this video, since many of you have asked for some construction updates.  I decided to have some fun with it.  Admittedly, I am most excited about a new home study to work out of.  I better get comfortable as this will be the church planting "headquarters" for several years.  I love it though.  We are very grateful to have been able to do this.  Related aside...Mackinley can now move out of the closet :)