Other Going's On

Wednesday last week I had the opportunity to speak to the AWANA kids again. It kinda snuck up on me, as usual, but since I usually just talk about what God's teaching me, it wasn't hard to find alot to say. We spent a little time just refreshing the kids understanding of my job title. I'm not a custodian, trash man or cleaning person. I'm a Maintenance Engineer. I don't expect them to know I'm also an IT administrator.

About six or seven years ago, I tried to apply Philippians 2:3-4 (my buddy displaying on the left) to my life in the midst of trouble. It never happened. I know this because eventually I found myself again only finding joy and comfort in what other people could do for me. But as God faithfully and patiently pushes me through life, he's given another chance. We talked about this, Mark 12:31 and what this reveals about OUR RESPONSE to 1 John 3:1. God's love has been used as an ambiguous warm blanket and comfort while we wallow in sadness or joy replacement, instead of a gift to respond to and purpose to drive us in obeying God's commands to be selfless. And no, none of those big words were used in AWANA. The deepest example we talked about was how you treat the weird kid everyone avoids at the end of the lunch table. It would be nice to divert them from hitting their 20's avoiding normal people and only finding joy and rowdiness in close proximity with their best friends and favorite worldly diversions.

Sir Nan prepped our spaghetti and healthy sauce on Thursday for this month's man-only study. Oh so good. Ryan allowed us to experience the comforts of his home.


Cozy seating. The Good Kevin seems to be having some trouble with the Large print Bible. Might need to switch up to jumbo.


Jimmy James on the big screen! Or is that Pastor Fred?


AAAAAAnd pool.


Ryan's sister, Janelle, doesn't allow me to take pictures of her. But I found a way around it. This picture is evidence that Michael Jordan is in fact the ring leader of the Peoria McDonald's Franchise.