Today I'm headed back to South America for my fifth mission trip in Bolivia. I'll be leading a small medical and evangelism team through the jungle region of the Department of La Paz, Bolivia. I love Bolivia. If you're a frequent reader this is not news to you. I'll be gone for two weeks, but while I'm away I have blog posts that will pop up each day. Courtney will also continue to share posts and will follow-up on any e-mails or phone calls that you send me. I'm very grateful for the whole MCR team for supporting the mission work of MVP Bolivia. I'd like to share a little about our trip......     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Ok, so maybe the title isn't completely correct. Most of us don't really forget winter. How can we with the cold temperatures and the snow! For me, winter is a season that I would just like to skip. I like the warmer temperatures! That is why so many people flood to the south for the winter months! But of course, living in the Midwest, we will never escape the winter months. So why not take advantage of the situation. A winter retreat can benefit a group in so many ways...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

One of the questions I struggle to answer is where do you see yourself in five years? Do you realize how long five years seems to a twenty something? I haven't done anything for five years... Junior high, 3 years, High School, 4 years, College 4 years. When I look back at the last five years I am amazed at all the places that I've gone literally and figuratively and have no idea where God might point me over the next. The only thing I know for sure is I'm going where He's taking me...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

I love 30 Rock. Kennith the Page reminded his boss in one episode of the fact that, "We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak." He goes on and the conversation takes its usual turn that makes for great comedy but doesn't help to prove my point...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

In an effort to be as geeky as humanly possible... I am sad to report today is the last time that the Space Shuttle will launch. Anytime one chapter closes the time in limbo land is difficult. One thing has finished the next is unknown, not ready, whatever... In the same way many summer conventions are either in-progress, just finished, or will be soon. You're students are soon to be stuck in limbo between the spiritual high of summer camp and the beginning of the school year...     Continue Reading | View Comments (3)

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

I don't think I can stand another week of winter, the Snowpocolypse of 2011 a couple weeks ago was enough for me. So I'm headed back south of the equator where it is currently summer! Winter isn't the only reason, I'm going on another medical mission trip with MVP Bolivia...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

We talk on setting goals and objectives often on our blog. We reference it in at least 75% of all posts, however its been a while since we devoted a post to writing goals and objectives. It's resolution setting time, call me cliche for choosing this time of year for a post like this. However more than the new year, we are 18 months away from summer 2012. Yes, I also have an incredible counting ability.  Laugh with me a little...     Continue Reading | View Comments (1)

Have you ever watched the Lone Ranger? No matter what Tonto was close by in almost every instance. The Lone Ranger was a show even before there was TV. It debuted as a radio show and incase you still have no idea what a Lone Ranger and Tonto is, don't worry, it's on YouTube, check it out below...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

This year retailers started early... most wait to start any Christmas promotions until November and then really ramp up right before Black Friday. With the drop in temperature, days shortening, and Christmas promotions starting, the season is changing more quickly than ever. I don't know about other families, but for us it seems like the schedules just ramp up. We love to embrace the activities that fall brings; decorating, kids sports, church activities, school parties... Then before we know we will be into Christmas and then all of a sudden we are in a new year. My family always try to balance our busy-ness by remembering passages like 1 Corinthians 10:31...     Continue Reading | View Comments (2)

Looking for a great way to start the new year?  Start designing a winter camp for your church to help your members get spiritually charged!  If you're thinking... yea, that is a good idea, our group would really benefit from a new year's re-charge...  Start making plans by setting a spiritual goal or mission that the event needs to accomplish.  Then build objectives that will help you to meet those goals as you plan in the details of your event.  Let the goal of the event drive your choice of property, dates, activities, etc...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

We've taken a short break from writing entries...  The summer is always busy, but the end of summer always seems the busiest. This last weekend I got together with a few guys for a men's retreat.  You'd think as a person who promotes retreats, works for retreat centers, and lives at retreat center...  I'd go on a retreat every so often.  Whatever the excuse maybe I don't go on very many retreats...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment