It’s day 3 without changing the bracelet!  It is wonderful living in a complaint free world!  It is refreshing to not speak negetively.  It is amazing how that changes how you actually feel about yourself, others and life in general!  How are you doing in your complaint free world?

 “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:13

Last night I went on a test bike ride with John “One In A” Million.  We biked from Tecumseh to Adrian along the Trestle Park Trail.  It is approximately 7 + miles one way, for a test total of over 14 miles.  That is the distance of biking on the 2008 Triathlon several of us will be competing in next year.  I pedaled down and back with no ill affects.  This is truly my strong suite.  I felt strong.

It was quite an exciting trip.  Half way down the trail we ran into some hair raising thunder, lightning and heavy rain.  It was getting pretty dicey, so I elected to find some shelter next to the Luthern Church pavillion along the path.  Some lightning bolts hit so close you could hear it crackle and sizzle!  Oh, yeah, it was awesome!  The wind blew hard.  The rain came down in buckets and we got totally drenched….I loved it!  

Upon getting to Adrian we got some nourishment  (cherry pie and Starbucks) and headed back up the trail to Tecumseh.  Along the way we stopped and snacked on some Mullberries.  Yum!  Along the trail we saw birds, whitetail deer, chipmunks and rabbits galore!  It really was a memorable ride and I look forward to more.  I want to beat my time each trip to Adrian and back. 

Well, now for the pool!  Help!

“Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault, in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe….”  Philippians 2:14-15

Last Sunday at NewSong many people accepted the challenge to go 21 days straight without complaining.  The above bracelet is worn to remind us of what we are speaking.  When we find ourselves complaining, grumbling, gossiping, being critical or negative, we are to switch the bracelet to the other wrist and start the 21 day count over again.  This idea began in a small congregation in Kansas City, MO where Will Bowen is the pastor.

This exercise is proving to be extremely revealing as to how much we whine and complain.  The power for change will not be found in this bracelet, but in the Spirit of God who will empower us to be transformed and not just modified.

I am certain that old habits don’t just go away.  The only way to overcome a bad habit is to create a new habit that swallows up the old one.  Do anything for 21 days straight and it will be with you for life

I have found that many people are now struggling with what really constitutes a complaint and what is simply a statement of fact.  Legalism will not guide us in this spiritual endeavor, but rather we must listen to the Spirit of God who will guide us into all truth.  If this little bracelet will work as a reminder that we need to be listening closer to the Spirit of God and surrendering to His direction, it will have been a huge success!

There is so much power in our words!  You are speaking your reality!  What is it that you are speaking?  Blessing or curse?  Speak what it is that you want!  Use the power of your words to change your world!  Take the challenge!  You CAN do it!

I’m excited about our new community outreach called NewSong Unplugged.  Beginning Thursday, July 5th we will open the Connection Center, in downtown Tecumseh, for people to come and enjoy a cup of coffee from the Daily Grind, some snacks from Lev’s Bakery and music provided by local artisans.  We’ll open up at 6:00 p.m. and close somewhere around 8 p.m.  Our plan is to have a different musician each Thursday night throughout the summer.

We’ll kick off our first night out with Jeremy Blaska.  Jeremy is a gifted guitarist and you will enjoy his music immensely!  Pass the word around and come enjoy our community.

Our small group will be taking a family outing to the Jackson Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 14th.  There are all types of food and activities for all ages.  For more information, check out the following link:

http://www.hotairjubilee.com/index.htm

Our plan is to leave from Tecumseh in the morning and come back in the early evening.  Of course a stop at Jackson Dairy on the way home is a must!

David Crowder and Company rocked the house last night at Northridge Church in Plymouth Michigan.  It was an inspirational evening.  What a joy to worship God through music with family and friends.  The wife and I joined with some special friends for dinner at Brecon Grill in Saline, coffee at My Favorite Cafe, and finally music with David.  The weather was nearly picture perfect.  My grandson, Tanner, was jumpping up and down, clapping his hands and praising God.  Thanks be to God for all His many blessings!

In a world that struggles these days to define what family is, I introduce to you one of the sweetest couples I’ve ever known.  I know them affectionately as Uncle Clark and Aunt Joyce.   I’m certain their home was the inspiration for the early television show “Leave it to Beaver.”  When you look in the dictionary for the best cook in the world…you will find a picture of this gorgeous lady there.  

I would day dream for weeks contemplating my epicurean delight in gorging on moist, flavor-filled butterball turkey, steaming sweet ‘taters, you know with the marshmellow on top, a vast array of vegies, fruit salads, and deserts. 

They had an enormous 3 story house located in downtown Hastings, Michigan.  The 3rd story was where the boys hung out.  My older cousins had stacks of Mad Magazines and I would drift away in imaging I was Alfred E. Newman.  We played football and baseball in the back yard and rode bikes around the block. 

I was certain that Aunt Joyce and Uncle Clark were rich, because they had two fridges.  There was a serenity around that home that reminded me of Atticus’ place in “To Kill a Mockingbird.”  There was safety and security in knowing that you were loved. 

Clark’s work was not flashy and he was not a shaker and a mover in the small town politics, but he provided for the family and they never went without.  Now they celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.  Truly a model for all who know them.  Truly a picture of what God wants to bless us with when we follow His ways. 

This couple has given more to me that I could ever give to them in a hundred lifetimes.  Uncle Clark and Aunt Joyce you are a blessing to all who know you.  Thank you for the precious memories that are literally worth more than a million dollars.  I will cherish them all the days of my life.  Today we salute you and say thank you and God bless!

I had the joy and the privilege to fly to Austin this last weekend and share in the wedding ceremony of my nephew Matt and his beloved.   Everything was perfect.   The location, the decorations, the music, etc. 

Upon completion of the ceremony they released some Monarch butterflies.  I loved it!  Something very special happened at this point.  One of the butterflies landed on the wedding program held by the groom’s grandmother….and it just stayed there….opening and closing its wings ….for a very long time.  It seemed to be doing it purposefully.  Butterflies landed on no one else’s program, just this special lady’s program.  As I watched this scene play out, it brought tears to my eyes.  Here is why.

You see, not too long ago, this dear lady lost her loving husband, Matt’s grandfather, shortly after a terrible accident.  I was not the only one making a connection to the touching scene in the movie Patch Adams.  As a matter of fact, there were several loved ones that came to my mind, whose presence was represented posthumously through that beautiful butterfly.

Thank you Lord for your many gifts!