Swimming!

My best friend Shawn Kliewer got married on the 16th, so we stayed in a hotel in Omaha for a couple of days. Of course the kids were more interested in the pool!

He died for that!

Angie and I watched Mel Gibsons "The Passion" for the first time tonight. We have been going through Matthew in Church and are coming up to Easter, so we thought it would be a good thing for us to watch. It was.
Have you ever committed some stupid selfish little sin and thought "Jesus went through all of His suffering, separation from the Father, and His death because of the sin I just commited."
I felt the movie was a good portrayal of the Biblical accounts of the events surrounding Jesus Crucifixion.
If you havent seen the movie, I recommend you do it. It is disturbing, and bloody, as it was in reality.
The best part of the movie, though is the last scene. The GOOD NEWS of Jesus' death, is that it didnt last long!!!
HE IS RISEN!
If HE has set you free, then you are FREE INDEED!
Kurt

Don't Leave It On The Desk......

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States . Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year, regardless of his or her major.Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriouslyThis year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. "How many push-ups can you do?"Steve said, "I do about 200 every night.""200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"Steve replied, "I don't know... I've never done 300 at a time.""Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson."Well, I can try," said Steve."Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work.Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it."Dr. Christianson said, "Good. I need you to do this on Friday.Let me explain what I have in mind."Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancyBIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls.Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"Cynthia said, "Yes."Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?""Sure." Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"Joe said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?"Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten pushups for every person before they got their donut.Walking down the second aisle, Dr Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?"Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own pushups?"Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten pushups.Scott said, "Hey, I said I didn't want one" Dr. Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it" And he put a donut on Scott's desk.Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?" Sternly, Jenny said, "No."Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jen ny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" Steve did ten.... Jenny got a donut.By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these pushups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten pushups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next.Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO, don't come in Stay out!"Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten pushups for him?"Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut."Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now Jason, do you want a donut?"Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on."Yes," he said, "give me a donut.""Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?" Steve did ten pushups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?" Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow pushups for Linda.Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone, I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not.When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes.""Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?"As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 pushups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said. "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten."Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile."Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words."Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid.""Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"

"What is a Christian in business?"

Here is an article that a "friend of a friend" wrote. Her name is Regina Baker and this is her website: http://www.businessbygrace.com/

What is a Christian in Business?

Knowing that you were created for a purpose. Desiring the will of God and holding fast to this journey is the beginning of a beautiful life! Seeking God for the answers, reading the scripture and meditating on it daily while the Holy Spirit gives you revelation understanding is what will help you understand exactly what you are doing within that purpose.

Once we acknowledge that our lives our not our own, we were paid for with a price! Jesus’ blood was shared for each and everyone of us! Our purpose is to glorify God in EVERYTHING that we do… there is so much peace in knowing that when we surrender completely… dying daily to our own selfish desires, that God will perform His good and perfect will for our lives.

Becoming a Christian in business, means to “commit yourself” to God. Commit your works unto the Lord so that He can establish your footsteps. It’s really quite simple because at that point, He knows that you trust Him therefore He can trust you to do what He’s called you to do for such a time as this.

Of course there will be trials and persecution but Jesus already told us that, amen? For me knowing that my persecution is because I chose Him, makes my joy ever so wonderful! The joy of the Lord is my strength! It surely isn’t an easy journey but like Joseph, waiting on the Lord, going through the trials but believing all the while… through the storms of persecution, God led him to the palace!

I encourage you to write daily about your journey. Conversate with God on a daily basis. Allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you but, you must have an ear to hear and the desire to truly fulfill your originally designed purpose, molded by the hands of our heavenly Father.

Remember, HE is the potter, we are the clay!

Regina Baker

Surprise!

Angie's mom setup a surprise birthday party for her. It was fun! We had planned to go over to Mom and Dads for supper to celebrate, but Angie was definately surprised to see a whole group of our friends show up right after dinner! The look on her face was priceless! We had a great time.

FREEDOM!

Today is my 2nd day of what I feel is freedom. Ive always been an enrepreneurially(say that fast 7 times) minded person, its in my family's blood. Jobs have been good to me and helped when I just needed to pay the bills, but during those times I was always planning to go on my own, doing what I loved to do.
For some this sounds incredibly scary Im sure, the security of relying on someone else to provide you with work, and depending on them to pay you, but for me, staying in a job can be just as scary or worse. Those people that have relied on the big 3 auto manufacturers for everything are now out in the cold. Ive been through something similar, where my boss came to us one day and said he was closing shop, and we needed to find something else in the next 3 weeks. I could have pannicked, but I had already been talking with my dad about partnering up with him. I now had a good reason to do so:), and the Lord was working in what couldve been terrible circumstances.
My point is this: Dont put your trust in your job, because it may not be there tomorrow. Consider what you would do if you lost your job. Have a plan.
Jesus Christ is the only one that can be depended on completely. I know from experience. The Lord has NEVER let me down, even sometimes when I wasnt relying on Him.
When I was in College there was a Christian band called the "Dime Store Prophets", and one of their songs has this line:
"Faith is an ocean you can walk on"
God wants us to rely on Him COMPLETELY, and that requires stepping out of what we see as our "boat". It may be a job, our bank account, our insurance policys, our parents, whatever. We need to step out of the boat daily, and walk toward JESUS.
Matthew 14:27-29
But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." And Peter answered Him and said,"Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "COME!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Kurt

Im going to be leaving My Job....

After a long time of praying and waiting, the right time has come for me to quit working at Baldwins Automotive. It has been a very good job, and God definately put us in the right place at the right time. Now he has led us to persue our Advantage Conferences business, and Green Cylinder Heads on a full time basis. God has also shown me some areas of ministry that I will be able to do with a more flexible schedule, and more time.
Our life over the past year has been a whirlwind, but I can honestly say that Ive grown in Christ more this year than in my entire life. My understanding of who God is, how He works, and what faith is really all about has really changed.
Please pray for us, it is very exciting, and we are boldly walking forward in Christ.
Kurt

Im a Binge reader

When it comes to novels, I confess that Im a binge reader. For example: Angie has been telling me for quite a while that I needed to read Ted Dekkers "Black, Red, and White" series of books. Friday evening after the kids were tucked in, Angie was sitting down to read a book, so I picked up "Black" and started to read. I crawled into bed around 3:30 am, having read all but a chapter. I would have finished it but I was having trouble focusing and I was out of coffee. Saturday evening, Angie wasnt feeling well, So I sat by her in bed and read over half of "red". Sunday was the same story, but I havent quite finished "Red" yet.
Im sure tonight ill read some more, and the series will be finished in the next several days.
Its excellent, by the way. If you like CS Lewis alegory, combined with a modern suspense/thriller, you will love these books.
Kurt

Winter has arrived!

We finally have had some cold weather and snow. I was beginning to wonder:). We have had several inches of snow in the past 10 days and the temps this week have been in the single digits to teens.

The girls have started going to Good News Club every Thursday afternoon. Our church started it this month as a new outreach for the community. It has been going very well, with plenty of kids. While the girls are gone, Angie gets to spend some one on one time with Caleb. They both really enjoy it.
Thats all for now....

Friends dont let friends go to Jiffy Lube!!

This is why I always cringe when someone tells me they take their cars to quick lube shops. Please take your car to a real mechanic, even for an oil change. Its not worth saving a few dollars, or at least you think you are. We get cars in all the time that were "serviced" by Quick lube shops, and we have to clean up the mess.
Here is a link you need to watch:
http://www.fordmuscle.com/blog/jiffy-lube-scam-caught-on-tape/112153
Kurt