That's My King!

People are not confused by the gospel...they're really not. People are confused by what we've done to the gospel...what we've attached to the gospel. When you actually meet the God of the Bible, our one true God...things start to make sense. You're blown away by His saving grace...His ability to use our brokenness...you are awe struck by the plans He has for YOUR life. You bask in His forgiveness...you are healed from your past...and relish in your new found future. When you actually meet our one true God...you find meaning...you discover purpose...you experience relationship...you redefine true love.

I think sadly our view of God has somehow been reduced to what we the people have reduced it too. He's weak, he's distant, he's unjustly judgmental, he's lame.

Quite frankly, I wouldn't serve a God like that...I really wouldn't. Why would I chase a faith that bored me? People often ask where my passion and zeal for the Lord comes from...to which I can only reply...do you know Him? I've always been a bit of an adrenaline/adventure junkie. Give me a cliff and I'll bail off it...take me to the ocean and I'll dive into it. Introduce me to an All Mighty, All Powerful, All Knowing, All Loving God...

and yeah...I'll follow Him...because that's my king!

I wonder...do know Him?

The Blue Note

I don't know much about jazz music. But I do know a man who walks the streets of Rock Island who is known as the "Jazz Man." He's been my icon of the streets since I started life in ministry. I see him and my whole heart smiles. I struck up a conversation with him in the grocery store one evening and he told me about his love of jazz music and asked me if I had heard of one of a hundred jazz musicians. Admittedly, I'd heard of none. I have no doubt he has forgotten more in his lifetime than I'll ever know.

No, I really don't know much about jazz music...but I'm learning the importance of giving voice to pain. Apparently there is something in jazz called the blue note, the flatted fifth. It is used to build tension in the music. It is used to give voice to pain.

Last night a few friends and I went to listen to the same artist, Andrew Landers, who ultimately inspired the bed project for the boys through his music. He's a simple man with an amazing talent...and a story to tell. From the adoption of his youngest blessings from West Africa...to him and his wife's efforts to fight for clean water around the globe, he struck a chord in my soul.

Apparently 1.1 billion people do not have clean drinking water on the planet, that is one in six of us. Mothers making the choice daily for their children...drink this water and die because it is unclean...or don't drink this water and die of thirst.

I don't know much about jazz music...but I'm pretty sure he must have found the blue note...giving voice to pain...

perhaps the first condition to healing.

The portrait of grace

Bringing awareness to a family in need...1 email.

Moving furniture and belongings...2 weekends.

Family of four...sleeping in beds last night...priceless.


One may never know the happenings behind the closed door of another, uncovering our need to pursue grace in place of judgment.

I know every day spent behind this mother's door is not perfect, for I have witnessed it first hand. But I've also witnessed my own far-from-perfect days...

so I choose grace.

For grace paints a simplistic and beautiful portrait. Grace paints an unexpected visit to the apartment and finds belongings put up...beds made...and a soft glow flickering from the mother's bedside dresser...as the candle releases traces of fall throughout the house.

Yes...I choose grace.

Thank you for your donations, thoughts and prayers! Know this family was blessed because of YOU.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27