A Greater Focus on Jesus Christ

It was one of those nights when I was having trouble sleeping, so I went to the living room and grabbed a book to read (you know? One of those books that you've had for so long that you can't remember how long you've had and just have never taken the time to read it?). The name of the book is "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ" by John Piper. After just a few pages I found myself really getting into the book. Listen to this quote from page 15.

"We are all starved for the glory of God, not self. No one goes to the Grand Canyon to increase self-esteem. Why do we go? Because there is greater healing for the soul in beholding splendor than there is in beholding self. Indeed, what could be more ludicrous in a vast and glorious universe like this human being, on the speck called earth, standing in front of a mirror trying to find significance in his own self-image? It is a great sadness that this is the gospel of the modern world."

At the end of this first chapter, John Piper included a prayer that I want to make my own.

"Father of glory, this is the cry of my heart - to be changed from one degree of glory to another, until, in the resurrection, at the last trumpet, I am completely conformed to the image of your Son, Jesus Christ, my Lord. Until then, I long to grow in grace and in the knowledge of my Lord, especially the knowledge of His glory. I want to see it as clearly as I see the sun, and savor it as deeply as my most desired pleasure. O merciful God, incline my heart to Your Word and the wonders of Your glory. Wean me from my obsession with trivial things. Open the eyes of my heart to see each day what the created universe is telling about Your glory. Enlighten my mind to see the glory of Your Son in the Gospel. I believe that You are the All-glorious One, and that there is none like You. Help my unbelief. Forgive the wandering of my affections and the undue attention I give to lesser things. Have mercy on me for Christ's sake, and fulfill in me Your great design to display the glory of Your grace. In Jesus' name I pray, amen."

Beach Wedding

On Saturday, June 13, 2009 I had the unique opportunity to officiate my first Beach Wedding in Oceanside, CA. Although I've done many weddings, this one was especially fun. God provided a beautiful day, with a bright sun, cool breeze and the sound of the ocean in the background. Jacob, the groom, had one of the biggest smiles I've ever seen on any groom when he saw his bride, Rachel coming down the center isle of sand that was covered in rose petals. Marriage is a wonderful gift that God created for mankind to enjoy and it so much illustrates the relationship He wants to have with His church. Ephesians 5:25 tells us, "Husbands love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her."

A Day With the Family at Sea World

While so many were rushing around trying to finish up their taxes on April 15, 2009, we decided to have some fun as a family and go to Sea World in San Diego! It was an absolute beautiful day and we had a great time. It had been way too long since we had done anything like that as a family. The last time we took the boys to Sea World, they were so little they can't even remember the trip. I had forgotten how nice it was to leave everything behind and not answer the phone or emails and just have a relaxing time with my family. Here in this picture we were getting ready for the Shamu Killer Whale show. What an awesome thing to see as these large sea creatures do these amazing stunts! It was definitely a thing of beauty. And by the way, we were sitting closer to the water, but I was out-voted and we moved back several rows to avoid getting slashed. Had we stayed were I was wanting to sit, we would have been soaked!

Polycystic Kidney Disease

This nasty looking picture is a picture of two kidneys. The one on the right is a healthy kidney. The one on the left is a PKD kidney.

It was almost four years ago in 2004 when I was first diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). When the doctor first told me, I had never heard of it before and wasn't sure what to think. I'm sure he spent the necessary time to explain the disease to me back then, but it was one of those moments when hearing words like, "no cure" and, "you have probably about three years" made it impossible to digest anymore information at that time. I have to admit that it took me a few months to process things.

Four years later, I have learned a lot about PKD and I'm glad the initial three year time-line of my doctor was not accurate (although I still do have PKD). God has been gracious to me and I am still doing fine for the time being. I am now involved in a clinical study through the Kansas University Medical Center (HALT-PKD) to help doctors in their research in fighting the progress of this disease. There is much information about Polycystic Kidney Disease on the PKD Foundation website. PKD is the most common genetic, life threatening disease affecting more than 600,000 Americans and an estimated 12.5 million people worldwide - regardless of sex, age, race or ethnic origin. In fact, PKD affects more people than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, Down syndrome and sikle cell anemia - combined.

It is my desire to help doctors in anyway that I can to find a cure for PKD, not so much for me, but for my three sons. You see, they have been tested and all three have inherited PKD from me. Although they have a good attitude about it, it sure makes me feel terrible that I passed the disease to them. I would feel so much better if a cure could be found soon enough that they could benefit from it. For those that would like to donate to the PKD Foundation and help in the research for a cure of PKD, I am part of a virtual Walk for PKD Fundraiser.

I'm thinking about my friend, Matt

Matt and Tammy have been close friends with our family for more than 15 years. Our children (same ages) grew up together from preschool up through most of high school. Matt and I worked together on staff here at Victory Baptist Church for many years. Our families would spend countless times together at each other's houses, Bar-BQing, playing games, celebrating birthdays, holidays and just enjoying each other's company. Matt and Tammy were married the same month and year that Val and I were married in August of 1986, so to celebrate our 15 wedding anniversaries back in 2001, we traveled together as couples to Cancun, Mexico. We had a great time! We had so much fun together that just last month we agreed that we would celebrate our 25th wedding anniversaries (approaching in August 2011) together by going on a cruise with all of our kids. Even though Matt and Tammy moved to Oklahoma a couple of years ago, our friendship has continued to grow. I could share so many other things that would demonstrate how special Matt and Tammy and their children are to me and my family. I love them so much! Last night (9/29/08) I received one of those phone calls that nobody wants to receive. Tammy called me on my cell phone crying and asked me to pray because she came home to find Matt laying in the yard. The ambulance had just taken him to the hospital and she was scared. She couldn't talk anymore and said she would call me back as soon as she had more information. It is hard to describe how I felt after that phone call. I felt numb all over and in shock. I prayed and I prayed, and I called as many church friends as possible to pray for my friend Matt.
After about an hour of waiting and praying for my friend Matt, my cell phone rang one more time. As I looked down at the screen, it indicated that it was from Tammy. Part of me was afraid to answer and the other part of me was convinced that it would have to be good news. As I answered my phone there was a moment of silence on the other end, until I heard Tammy quietly say the words, "He's with the Lord now" As I sat there in my chair, the air seemed to leave the room and I could not find any words for the next several moments. The moment felt like a bad dream that I couldn't wake up from. As I looked up at the rest of my family, they could tell that the worst had happened and sadness began to fill the eyes of everyone. After what felt like forever, all I could push from my lips to say on the phone was, "Tammy....I'm so sorry." There was not much else that was said in that call other than the crying that could be heard from both ends.

...a couple of days have passed since I began this post....and probably the word to describe my feelings is "numb"

Today as I walked around the property of Victory Baptist Church, it struck me that my friend Matt had left his mark on so many things. The tree that I was standing under was planted by Matt. The water fountain that I got a drink from was installed by Matt. The well house that I walked into was built by Matt. The concrete ramp that I walked up and into the office was poured by Matt. The gate that I opened behind the office was designed and welded by Matt. Everywhere I looked, I was reminded of the handiwork of my friend Matt. But the amazing thing was that his handiwork was not just limited to things. His handiwork was, and will continue to be evident in the people that knew him. Matt left his mark in people around him by being the kind of friend you could only dream of having someday. I know that I am a better person today because my friend Matt left his mark in me. I know I will one day see Matt again, but I must admit that it saddens me to imagine that he's no longer a phone call away. Until I see him again, I'm going to really miss him.