God instructed us in Colossians that whatever you do work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord not men.
This weekend involved a lot of working and after pouring my heart into all of it – I’m a wee bit fatigued. But I couldn’t have imagined a more rewarding weekend of ministry. I knew God had great things in store when He created a couple opportunities I wasn’t expecting. My plate was full. But my God was more fulfilling. For that reason I boast in what He did, and how He allowed me to experience it all as a youth pastor.

• It began on Wednesday night (I know it’s a stretch to call this the weekend). Our high school group took part in the church-wide meal packaging for Haiti. For a little over an hour our students worked in teams of eight to put together somewhere around 25,000 meals. They worked well and had fun doing so. Proof that it is a joy to serve.
• Saturday evening we held the first of two weekend outreaches. A stretch certainly, since it had been several weeks since the last intentional outreach. The movie “To Save a Life” came to Jordan Creek theater for the week and we took advantage. Having seen it a couple weeks ago across town, I knew how powerful it would be for teenagers to see. More importantly, for those who are unchurched or question the Christian faith, this would be a phenomenal chance for our Christian kids to invite them and then to engage in conversation with them afterwards. Fifteen minutes before the movie started we had sold out the theater – with roughly 30 students who were first time visitors to a Valley Church event. We ended up having a few sit in the aisles during the movie because we had already taken up all 109 seats. Incredible! Afterwards we all enjoyed free Cold Stone ice cream – thanks to the extremely generous owners. During which several students came forward as saying they had contemplated suicide. This is the real ministry I’ve been praying for within our ministry for a couple years.
• After a late night, I turned around on Sunday morning and was in need of coffee as much as I ever had. This was a big Sunday in that the structure of Underground youth worship service was being revamped. Many changes were in order; a band from out of state led worship, the format changed, and the middle school ministry flipped sides with the senior high group. But all these changes worked smoothly and Underground was solid. The band did great. I experienced the Holy Spirit in our group as I gave the message. And even the little things were solid – students befriending new students.
• At the conclusion of Underground I hurried myself to my office to prepare for the upcoming baptism. Three of my high school kids requested I baptize them. The experience was spiritual – I don’t know how else to say it. Being a part of believer baptism is very rewarding. Very little in my profession brings me joy as when I baptize my students. It’s not that I attributed much to these guys faith development – the joy is found in their decision to proclaim their faith, to participate in one of their most spiritual moments. It also draws me back to my baptism at 19 years old in the Red Rock River.
• A couple hours later Lofltand band took the stage. The second of our weekend outreaches. I’m always hesitant bringing bands in, but for some reason opened myself to the idea of bringing these guys in from Wisconsin. I felt the importance of providing an outreach for the musically minded students to invite their like-minded friends. My fear was that we’d have twenty-five students show up and it would make the band (not to mention myself) very uncomfortable. Again I was proven wrong. Eighty-three students, with 15 of them being first time visitors of a Valley Church Student Ministries activity. Mission accomplished.

So it is now Monday morning and I’m thinking I deserve a half day off at the least. But my ministry juices are already at full speed. I’m ready to work with all my heart, as working for the Lord not men.

It’s no wonder why American’s love their credit cards. In so many ways they characterize the typical life. Seems weird to say – after all its just plastic right? Certainly not; these giants are game-changers and they have managed to make puppets out of us. I had a light bulb moment, one that if written in a book would be found in the tragic comedy section of Barnes & Noble. In a way this ‘book’ is fictitious as the people walking around are really credit cards with appendages. But the fiction is stripped when we discover that these people are really Christians.

Have you noticed the way Christians (used loosely) resemble credit cards? If not, then take a look at my list below and consider whether I’m referring to credit cards or Christians…

• Indulge in what you want now (temptations) and pay the price later
• Once you max out with the One you have, just open a new one – it’s like you get a new start
• You’re in control: have the One in your pocket and when you feel like using it go ahead, but only when you want to
• Don’t share your One with anyone; what’s theirs is theirs and what’s yours is yours
• While it may not be most beneficial to me, I’ll just give the minimum amount this month
• I really only use the One I have when it gives me rewards
• Even though It says don’t leave home without It, I sometimes do – even on purpose
• For now I don’t have much interest with this One
• When I opened up this new One, I put all my past debt on It
• Thanks to that period of grace, I guess its okay to add some charges to It

Conclusion? You be the judge. After you decide, open up the comment box and share your own dual purpose statements. Surely there are some humorous and creative minds out there.

I’d consider myself a recovering traditionalist – at least in regards to church. My childhood experience of church could best be explained by the word routine. I’m thankful that I was raised in the church. Yet it also left some bad tastes in my mouth. In my young mind, I interpreted these traditions as defining what a Christian life should look like. If you asked me at age eighteen to define prayer I would have said it was a precursor to eating a meal that started “God is great, God is good…”. The Lord’s Prayer – I could rattle it off in my sleep but didn’t know it was supposed to alter my lifestyle.

Fast forward to my Christian conversion in college and the following church experience in Pella. I had a strong distaste for tradition, and it affected every area of my life – not just church. There’s no question my philosophy of the Christian institution changed from that day forward. I’m a strong advocate of change – not to be politically cliché. * I read verses like Matthew 15:3 and Mark 7:9 and it fuels my desire to fight tradition in the church.

Until now I haven’t been able to divorce church tradition from life tradition. For years I’ve seen all forms of tradition as unhealthy. I’ll admit that is not good, particularly in regards to family. The dictionary defines tradition as ‘the handing down of statements, beliefs, customs, etc from generation to generation. The Kalvig clan has very little tradition built into the family. Perhaps I am part to blame for that, but as that reality sinks in it doesn’t sit well with me. Family traditions, if rooted well, can be very healthy for individuals and for families. One example, though questionably considered tradition, is my extended family spending the last three years hand making Christmas gifts to be given away at Christmas-time. I’m very proud of my elder family members for initiating this, and hope that it continues to the point of being passed down generations. Christmas is pretty patterned in our family, as the time we gather, the food we eat, and the service we attend continue from one year to the next. Yet that’s about the end of our tradition.

Now there is danger in desiring family tradition. That which God desires, and instructed both Israelites (OT) and Christians (NT) to follow, are those which build families together in the Lord. Remembering is vital and has its benefits. I just desire for them to be rooted in Christ, or at the very least God-honoring. But what are those? I’m at a loss.

Here is where I’m looking to others. Do you have any healthy family traditions? Let me know – and with that include the benefit those traditions have for you, or your family.

As the health of my grandparents is fading, I’ve started to realize the importance of established traditions. When they pass on, I want to have memories and perhaps objects that continue to remind me of the important role they played in my life. And someday when my time comes, I hope Kalvig family tradition gives my grandchildren a legacy to continue on.

This week was a big one for Judah. He turned one on Wednesday – apparently a milestone in a kid’s life. He was able to celebrate the weekend before. This weekend I’m the one celebrating thanks to my son. On Friday he solidified a tax break since he was born in 2009. Turned out to be a difference maker. I owe him one (pun intended). Then tonight Kelly and I decided to hit up Z’Mariks for supper. We hadn’t given much thought to Judah eating – typically we just give him small bits of our meal – until I saw a sign that said Saturday’s kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée. Well you know we already had a coupon for buy 1 get 1 adult meal free. But now, the possibility of another free meal. The questions started coming at me quick. ‘Is Judah too young for the free kids meal?’ ‘Is it wrong to order him a free meal, knowing that he won’t be able to eat much of it?’ ‘So does that mean I’m allowed to eat the rest of his meal?’

Having never been in this situation before I found myself frozen for a  short while. Then I decided to go after it. We ordered him the mac & cheese. While he ate well at the restaurant, we now have roughly four meals worth of food for him at home. As I left the restaurant I wasn’t sure whether to feel brilliant or ashamed. Cheap or proud. Unethical or a good steward of my money.

I learned my lesson tonight – it looks like we’ll be eating out more now. I wouldn’t mind some seconds thanks to Judah.

Help me out here. This picture is one of my latest. Not one of the usual “looks” that I have. Which caused me to ask of you: according to this picture, which profession would you guess I have? Please (with as much humor as possible) support your answer.

1. NASCAR driver
2. Mechanic at the eastside auto body shop
3. Bowling alley pro
4. Iowa State Fair carny

In searching myself I’ve discovered the one element of people that rises above all the rest. This attribute has the power to bond two people or tear two people apart. In fact it may only take one raw abuse of this element to distinguish which category you are in. As I said, this is a powerful element.
Through much reflection, and the help of a well written book titled Leadership and Self-Deception, I’ve realized that the most important quality to me is trust. When I look at many of the characteristics I want to see in my relationships with others, they begin with a foundation of trust. Most notably is vulnerability. The more I’ve evaluated myself in certain settings, the more I see how I handle myself based on the level of trust I have with the members in that environment. And it is obvious. I’m either talkative or not. I love talking, and I love being open with my thoughts, feelings, opinions – well you name it. So when I’m silent – know that I just dropped a hint. *
Trust is key not just within personal relationships but within teams too. Patrick Lencioni describes in his book 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, how trust is the essential element for any team to be successful. I really appreciate that insight. And could not agree more. Even within ministry there have been those of whom I have trusted and those who I haven’t. It is extremely difficult to work hand in hand (as we ought) to do ministry together.
There are still some issues of trust that I have yet to figure out. For instance, how many personal fouls against trust are required before you get tossed out of the game (my apology for those who don’t understand basketball talk). In other words, why is it that with most people in my life, if you’ve violated my trust in you once, it’s very difficult for me to trust you again. Meanwhile, there are some who have violated that multiple times – albeit in less harmful ways – and yet I still am open and trustworthy of them. Another question that comes to mind is how to regain trust in that person. In my past, if that trust is severed, I’ve for the most part written you off. Problem is, that list has grown a lot over the years and seems to have gotten longer than those I really trust. That’s a problem folks. So I’ve come back to the drawing board to decide how does one go about regaining trust with someone who has previously lost that? Keeping in mind that I don’t think it’s wise to just forget completely and rush right into it. Seems foolish and it’s like you’re asking to be served once again. So what does that look like? Should it be a process? Or should the past be ignored and trust quickly restored? Since I’m a student of God’s Word, if you have related Scripture to share please do so. However, I’d love to hear others’ wisdom as well. Keep the trust.