Just got done reading Francis Chan’s newest title Forgotten God.  A beautiful read.  I was energized through nearly every chapter as if the Holy Spirit (aka forgotten God) were Himself speaking to me.  I can’t deny – there were some heavy convictions in this book.  But there was more joy.  In some ways it felt like I was reading about the Holy Spirit for the first time.  The reason this is a must read for everyone – it will illuminate your walk with Jesus.
My cliff notes include pages of quotes from the book.  From those, I wanted to focus on just a couple.

“Without the Holy Spirit, people operate in their own strength and only accomplish human-size results.”

I’d rather not admit that most of my life exists in my human nature.  As is true for much of my ministry.  As I made my way through the book I was continually enlightened to the strong connection between the Holy Spirit and living by faith.  In fact, I cannot recall a faith based decision I’ve made that didn’t either start with the Holy Spirit or was led in the process by the Holy Spirit.

“Shouldn’t there be a huge difference between the person who has the Spirit of God living inside of him or her and the person who does not?”

Yes Francis.  Ok, so I suppose it was rhetorical.  But I want to be different.  I want people to sense the Spirit within me.  I want it to be clear to everyone I engage, that the Holy Spirit resides in this 173 pounds temple.  The weight of this statement is colossal for those of us who claim ourselves as saints.  Take away the Holy Spirit and are you the same?  It feeds into the body of Christ as well.  Everything that is wrong with the Church today gives strength to this statement above.

I’ve discovered in putting the words of Scripture and Chan’s explanation – that it isn’t as hard as it seems – walking in step with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16).  It’s a matter of tuning in, and then following through.  May you discover the joy and the power of taking baby steps.  May we be recognized by the God-in-us.

Such an appropriate title.  Life is no longer the same.  I’m owned by technology, but hey, so are you.

This get me thinking so much.  How will life function with all this being true?  What adjustments do I make to be successful in the future of youth ministry?

Sometimes I feel guilty at home.  I know my wife never intends for this to be the case – but the woman works her tail off having the house looking nice and food being put on the table every day.  If you’ve been to my house, you know what I’m saying.

The guilt came yet again last night as I realized we needed to provide dessert for company we had over.  It was three o’clock and no decision had been made.  And of course, I’m in no position to help.  Not because I don’t have the time, or the desire to serve my wife.  Rather, I had no idea what to make.  I just don’t read recipe books.  Plus they aren’t very helpful to dudes.  They are fancy, I’m not.  They’re confusing…cooking is confusing.

I’m convinced that there are a few good desserts to make.  And I’m convinced that I have the friends to provide the recipes – in layman terms.  The search is on.  Have a rather simple dessert recipe that will razzle and dazzle guests?  I want to know about it.

I’d rather have the guilt of eating an unhealthy dessert than being absolutely incapable to help my wife in the kitchen.

I like asking questions.  Part of me wants to have a democracy poll on my website to elicit responses by the dozens – or at this point by the dozen people who even read this blog.

In lieu of a poll, I’ll have my Weekly Q(ueue) – a term which speaks heavily into my reason for writing…that you would stand in line to give your response.

Without further jibberish – I present to you two very important questions.

1. Given my new adventure into the world of blogging – what kind of blogs would intrigue you to come back frequently?

• Humor
• Christian / Church thoughts
• Personal life stories
• News – Local, National, and World updates – and what I have to say about it
• Random thoughts that make me go “aghhh”
• Practical tips, ideas, free advice
• Other (specify)

2. Which team pulled off the biggest win on Saturday?

• Central College – remains unbeaten at 8-0 and ranked $6 in the country in D3
• Iowa Hawkeyes – staying perfect this year and moving up to #4 in the BCS
• Iowa State Cyclones – winning @ Nebraska for the first time since 1977
• Drake Bulldogs – pull off a come-from-behind win, remain tied for 1st in PFL

The nerves of some people.

It’s a Saturday and I’m at the mall.  As I weave through the parking lot looking for an open spot, I find myself turning down a row.  Out of the corner of my eye I see a lady eyeing the same spot.  I hesitate.  Then decide to pull forward.  In that split second of hesitation – where I’m questioning who saw the spot first (as if we reserve parking spots with our eyes) – this woman gives me a terrible look.  I motion for her to settle down – no…not with any finger.  Then this creepy dude jets out of the passenger side door and starts coming at me.

I reached in the backseat where I conveniently had my brother’s baseball bat.  Ok that part I made up.  I actually floored the Envoy ahead, wondering if he might come chasing after me.  Truth be told I wish I were on foot because I would have loved to see him try chasing me down.  Shame on me for thinking that.

Has Valley West Mall become the new Merle Hay Mall?

People make me skeptical.  And malls make me sick.

btw – had I got in a fight today, the dude would have totally owned me. *

One thing to know about the Kalvig’s (the big family) is that we love getting together for board games.  It started when I was lil Jon.  The exception to the eight o’clock bedtime was when we got to play a family game.  There’s reason to believe that my competitive nature took off playing board games more than it did with playing sports.  In honor of the monthly Kalvig Game Days – I, hereby present my all time Top 10 board games.  Before I do so, here is one game you will never see on the top list.  Apples to Apples – it’s almost become a family joke…on me.

10. Chutes and Ladders
9. Guess Who?
8. Sports Scene It
7. Chess
6. Battleship
5. Sequence
4. Monopoly
3. Sorry
2. Team Cribbage *a Kalvig special*
1. Life

In celebration of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month – I’ve decided to go PINK today.  Not for the first time.  As a matter of fact I once had an AOL account with the username pastorinpink.  I haven’t always been so fond of this once feminine color.

My first memory with pink was eighth grade.  Show choir.  The hideous fuchsia pink vest and cumber bun were tough on the ego.  What fifteen years will do to you.  Pink gives a man props now.  How’s that slogan go – Real Men Wear Pink.

Well I may not wear a lot of pink but my <3 goes out to it.  But not all of it.  Some pink I like…

• Pink erasers – those big ones that tore it up in first grade
• Iowa Hawkeyes opposing teams locker room
• Cotton candy – for the kid in me
• Character Pinky – though I identify more with the Brain of course

And some pink I don’t like…

• Steak done rare
• Pink Floyd
• Pink Panther
• Pink eye

Before you share your view of pink, consider signing up for Race for the Cure – this weekend.

Thanks to a recent Andy Stanley video, I challenged my staff and myself to consider those Faith Milestones in our lives.  Now before I dish them out, know that this is not my extensive list of faith moments.  I clearly acknowledge that I am a man of little faith – however, this is not the extent of those decisions, only the key moments in my life.

• Accepting Christ @ 2^nd Reform Church in Pella
• My believer baptism a few months later
• China mission trip – particularly when on week two, all the guys came together with our Chinese roommates to begin a Bible study
• The call of hire @ Lighthouse Community Church
• Challenge ’06 (and ’08 as well) – in particular one night when the cries of hundreds were heard following a powerful message (Cahill) and worship songs (Tomlin)
• Giving my mother the Maxima I had been driving
• Going through some hard times of pain, trials, and brief depression this summer
• Being a part of Tim’s conversion a couple weeks ago

You probably noticed that there is a combination of acts of faith that I committed, and milestones that blew up my faith in God.  Either way, they led me to greater faith – that is being dependent on God.

One thing about faith is that it is inspired by others acts.  So do us all a favor and post your faith milestones.  Let us fulfill the words of Romans 1:12 – “that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith”.