Expansion

What is expansion? I always think about when I was a kid and we used to get those little dried up animals from the 25 cent machines. We would take them home put them in a large bowl of water and watch them grow to triple the size of what they were. In amazement we would wonder how in the world could a bowl of water make that little toy expand into this spongy, gross, wet, slimy dinosaur? The funny part is that this describes what God has been laying on my heart lately. How do we grow people to be a spongy, gross, wet, slimy dinosaur. Ok, not necessarily that wonder depiction of a dinosaur but how do we expand ourselves into the lives of others. In a world where we see more of a fatherless generation than we have ever seen how do we become fathers to the fatherless. How do we raise up people who lead along side of us? Not us being the ministry but all of us being ministry together. Its not about who's name is on the door of the ministry. Our culture is so good a defining anything by its leaders. Look at Apple, when there was rumor that Steve Jobs had a heart attack the stock of Apple actually fell because they thought they lost there leader. Read the gospels and see how many times Jesus told them not to put emphasis on him but on what God had done to them through healing, being set free or whatever it was. This to me isnt about another church model its about the heartbeat of spiritual leadership. Its about the impartation of the DNA that God has created in me to lead and about the DNA around me that have DNA to lead. It never is about me or you or anyone else its about the Jesus that lives and dwells among up that make many stronger then one by himself.

Ecclesiates 4:12
"Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken"

My heart is that we expand our life (the river of life) into those that surround us. That we intentionally reach the potential in us and draw it out in those around us.

The new life

So I havent posted in a while and for that I apologize. So today you will get two posts! Its been a little crazy with family in town for the last two weeks and a new baby to add to the other two beautiful girls we have. Braylin is doing well. God has blessed us with a laid back child so far. She, for the most part, is pretty content and just as beautiful as the other two girls were. Its seem as though my girls like to have highlights in there hair because this one was born with highlights too. They werent as bold as Peytons but still very evident. We are working to get back into a regular schedule and bring Braylin along into it. Ashley started back at work today and I am back in the office on a consistent basis. I do have to admit and ask for forgiveness because I am test driving a mini-van. I vowed I would never own one and now it looks like it may be happening. This is what 3 children will do to your life! They will cause you to have to buy a mini-van to fit all there stuff and your stuff in! Even after all that there still is not room for anyone else to sit! I love it! Grey hair, a minivan, and 3 girls! God has an incredible sense of humor. Its a good thing its hunting season in South Dakota so I can go be manly and kill dinner, clean it and feed my family on it. LOL!

The Wishy Washy

I was disturbed to read about Colin Powells endorsement on Sunday but not surprised. It goes to figure that he has been offered a position in the white house with Insaino Usamo Obama. Knowing Insaino's history on foreign policy and his stance on pulling out troops I am amazed that he would want someone who petitioned on behalf of the US to invade Iraq, but hey they can overlook that now, right. They dont have any problems with laying in bed with the enemy as long there man gets into office. Although on Powells behalf he does agree with Insaino on killing babies. What a great pair! Here is some information for you to read. I found it enlightening that the media does not state that 4 out of 5 former Secretaries of State endorse McCain. Way to go media live up to your reputation as you always do! I wonder who MSNBC endorses for president. I am sure by the reporting you will be able to figure that one out!

October 21st, 2008 10:14 AM Eastern

Powell Looks for Forgiveness and a Hug from the Left by Endorsing Obama

By Tommy DeSeno
Attorney/Writer

"Four out of five Secretaries of State surveyed recommend John McCain to those who will vote.

That’s right. Henry Kissenger, James Baker, Lawrence Eagleburger and Alexander Haig have all endorsed the Republican nominee. But like the one dentist out of five who recommends sugary gum, Colin Powell has endorsed Barack Obama.

That’s the only secretary of state endorsement the media wants to talk about, like it’s some “Republican on Republican crime.”

Powell has essentially endorsed the guy from the other team. But beware the effect of “that’s your own man saying so” in politics. Because which player is on what team isn’t always so clear.

Powell never fully committed to the Republican team, even while Republicans recognized his talents and made him National Security Adviser, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and secretary of state.

After the first Gulf War, when there was talk of Powell running for President, he was coy about which party he’d use to do it. His finger was in the political wind.

On liberal issues, Powell has been a fan of that weird civil right involving killing baby humans. He supports affirmative action, some gun control and won’t support a constitutional ban on burning the flag in protest of America here on her soil. He now complains Republicans are “too far right.” Where are we supposed to be, Colin?

So was Powell really a teammate of Republicans (despite having given McCain the maximum campaign donation allowed by law)?

I’ll admit though there are Republican positions Powell has supported…

Like the Iraq invasion. Since 2003 those on the left have painted Bush, Rumsfeld, Cheney, Wolfowitz and anyone else at the top as more horrid than those who attacked us on 9/11.

If your motto is “Bush lied, people died,” surely you recognize the voice of Powell. He appeared at the UN to sell the invasion based on WMDs to the UN and the world.

So where now is the rage of the left, who even tried to have Rumsfeld indicted as a war criminal in several European countries? Will the left forgive and forget what they once saw as Powell’s crimes against humanity in exchange for a mere endorsement? Oh, that’s right, the left forgave Bill Ayers. Forgiving Powell should be a cinch.

What is really behind this endorsement is Powell looking for forgiveness and a hug from the left. This is what he said nearly a year ago about what he will look for in a candidate:

“A vision that reaches out to the rest of the world and starts to restore confidence in America. And starts to restore favorable ratings to America, frankly. We’ve lost a lot in recent years.”

If you agree (or care) that our standing in the world has been lessened by the Iraq invasion as Powell says, then it’s fair to say it’s Powell’s fault. Repair that and Powell gets to wake up tomorrow as a different person.

So the Obama endorsement is Powell’s personal mea culpa to the left for the Iraq invasion, without regard to whether Obama will be good or bad for America here at home."

Quick and Crazy

Well baby #3 has arrived with great hoopla. We came in tonight to be induced with our third baby girl. We got here about 7:30pm and got up and to our room around 8pm. Ashley did all the paper work stuff and got settled in. They got her hooked up to all the stuff they needed and it was around 9:30pm-10:00pm when that was done. They had given her a pill to start her labor and some sleeping pills to help her rest through the night. Well needless to say it is now almost 2pm and we are still awake. Baby Braylin decided that she wasnt going to take very long. Even our Dr. didnt make it till after the baby was out. Thank God for on call Docs and being in the hospital when it happens. Ashley did 2 pushes and out came Braylin. 3 minutes of pushing and it was all said an done. Braylin has a beautiful head of hair and a great personality that we can see so far. She is healthy and bright pink. She had the nurses and doctors scrambling though. Here are some pics at 2am for you to enjoy.

Election 2008

I cannot tell you how important the moral voice of our nation is right now. As you can read on my blog we are in a issue of morality with the killing of the unborn here in South Dakota. It is all about the right of the unborn and the voice of the constitution to speak for that which is contrary to God. I received an email today from Francis Frangipane and his ministry as a foreward from Lou Engle. What I then watched blew my mind as to the power of the homosexual agenda and its devaluing of the family. Take a look at this video and feel free to copy the code, put it on your blog and get the word out on this election. If you want to be me than a one issue voter than choose the issue of morality. Who in this election will lead our nation morally? IThis question will lead you to more than one issue. Don't by into the hype and rhetoric ask God to lead you to the moral choice. The rights that you have had all your life lay in waiting as sin comes to corrupt the the system that was founded on God. Remember the line, "In God We Trust."



If you live in California please vote on measure 8.