Just a thought...

I have to admit that I haven't spent much time on the ol' Gaines/Lampi Blog as of late... but, the other night I got sucked in and found myself going all the way back to its very beginnings in 2005. I stayed awake in bed till midnight sifting through our musings about weekend happenings, significant moments, dogs, vegetables, birthdays, books, anniversaries, etc., etc. And now we fast forward 4 years to a handful of beautiful, healthy children, new jobs and homes, marriages still strong and thriving, and a continuous sense that God is near and faithful. We have become Grandmas and Grandpas, Uncles and Aunts, and Mommies and Daddies. We have learned more about ourselves, one another, and our world. And most importantly, it is evident in the good seasons of life and the bad, that somehow we keep getting closer to where God wants us to be... Even if it's simply because we've acquired some more age lines that let us know that we're nearer to being with him each day than we were the day before. I can never say this enough, but it is good to share life together. Love you guys.

Jackson Benjamin Gaines

I heard it many times from all of you, but never understood that I could never love someone or something so much than our son! This year, having the newest addition to the Gaines Family (Temecula Edition), has been truely the most amazing blessing from God. Yesterday, as we celebrated Jackson's first birthday with many of our friends and family, we had this slideshow going. I wanted to share it with all of you who were unable to be there!

44

"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus—and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."

President Obama

can we even grasp this?

don't have much to say. tomorrow is more than words. hear it from his own words.

Cheers to you, MLK. PREACH IT!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk

Wolverines back into the Big Time

Sparty better watch out because the Wolverines are back - baby. MSU had better work on their defense because the three taters will be flying when they play the Maize and Blue. The Hoosiers have become the Loosiers because of the boys from Ann Arbor. Wes, change your allegiance back to the home town boys. B,J &A I am happy to say you still bleed Maize and Blue. Jeff, I'm calling you and your Sparty friends out!!

Jackson is back!

After a crazy week in the hospital a few weeks ago Jackson is getting back to himself. He is gaining back that pound he lost quickly and the wheezing is under control for now. Thank you all for praying for our little man!!!

The Courage of Detroit

Lena Jo told me about this article in Sports Illustrated, written by Mitch Albom, about the Detroit's ups and downs in sports and in business. Later in the day I caught Mitch Albom on the Charlie Rose in a compelling interview, standing up for Detroit as a proud citizen.

It made me proud to be from Michigan, and again, brought back every single memory, good and bad, growing up as a Detroit sports fan.

You can read the full article here.

And watch the full Charlie Rose Mitch Albom (near the end of the video) here.

"To hell with the depression. We're gonna have a good year."

Bill and Lena, we have you to thank for this video. . .

This is what happens when Grandma and Grandpa take Cash to the mall and spend $5 on the fancy car cart. . . mom and dad take him to the mall the following week, refuse to spend $5 on the cart. . . breakdown ensues.


(Sorry, I couldn't resist).

Not "The Box" but up there:

Remember the chills you used to get when Wes or Matt Kurtz played Jesus in the Box and at the end when they hug...yeah..wow..memories.

Anyway- In my recent GodTube visit, I came across a great drama that may just give you the chills like those caused by the box.
Take 3 minutes and watch-hang in there the end is the best!

2nd missional forum

This past Saturday we hosted the second annual “Seeding Missional Communities Commons” in Fort Wayne. Over 80 people from all around the Midwest and New Jersey gathered to discuss church planting, community, mission, etc. There were four presentations followed by lengthy times of discussion and Q & A here are some of my notes:

· Worship: Our friend Ben spoke about the importance and purpose of gathering for worship (i.e. the Sunday service). Ben spoke about how worshipping together is indispensable because it is through worship that we are formed into the Body of Christ; that is, as we encounter God in worship we are transformed into people that can carry out his mission. Worship is not entertainment (i.e. we really like the music, videos, drama, etc.{then go to a concert!}) or informational (i.e. we really like the sermon, bible teaching, etc. {then download the podcast!}) but it is the Body encountering God through Word and Sacrament: hearing scripture, responding with adoration, song, music, confessing sin together, praying for one another, receiving nourishment from Christ during communion. It is formational and continuous, we gather and are sent out, and gather again, sent out again…… (David Fitch has a good blog post about this link)

· Community: The next presentation was about the importance of community to the life of the church. The speaker outlined five values for missional orders (communities):

1. Priority or stability: those involved in the church community are committed to being there, it is a priority to be together.
2. Proximity: Those in a church community live in close proximity to one another so that they can be there for each other and minister together in a specific geographic locale (neighborhood).
3. Poverty: Those in a church community should commit to living beneath their means and not incurring debt without consulting others in the community.
4. Politics: Not as in who you vote for but that the gospel creates a new politic or way of living in that the commitment to being disciples of Christ supercedes individualism
5. Mission: Evangelism, caring for the poor, carrying out God’s mission in the world is the result and goal of the previous values.

· Conversion: David Fitch spoke on how people are converted or brought into the family of God in today’s world. He spoke about how people need to know what they are being called into (a lifelong commitment to discipleship) and that the focus on what used to be called “first time decisions” (every eye closed, every head bowed…) is inadequate because it turns conversion into a transaction or consumer decision often based on wrong motives (i.e. I don’t want to go to hell, I do want to go to heaven, therefore I am going to pray this prayer and that will take care of it). The call to conversion must be broader than fear of hell (Rom 6:22) and must involve repentance (turning away from one way of living and turning towards another – being a lifelong disciple of Christ).

· Finances: The last presentation was about how church communities can function as small local economies where instead of our finances being personal and individualistic we share everything as in Acts 2 and allow our pooled resources to sustain the work of the kingdom in our cities and neighborhoods. The presenter offered a few values and suggestions:

1. Simplify our lives (live beneath our means by denying ourselves and taking up our crosses)

2. Sharing life together: share financial burdens, loan to one another, work together, start businesses, etc.

3. Grow food together (a small act that acknowledges food as an important part of any economy)

4. Discern a local economy (as a community, what are we to do with our resources and how can we band together to further the work of the gospel)

Anyways that’s pretty scattered I know, but those are my notes, the forum was videoed and will be put online soon and I’ll link you then. Peace!!

Do you watch Fox News?

Ok, seriously, this is the weirdest thing ever: watch this video Fox News put together. I can't tell whether it's all a joke or not, anymore. get all the way through to the end. if you live Brighton don't make an annoying comment - it could cost you $100.

Officer Jerry's watchin,

LINK.

andrew