Obscure Mutterings

Change your bookmarks.

2008-03-03T10:08:00.002-07:00

That's right. All three of you who read this should change your bookmarks and/or RSS feeds to http://kevinpporter.wordpress.com/

Time for a fresh start...

What a monster....

2007-11-30T14:20:00.001-07:00

Today's sign of the Appocolypse...

2007-11-26T08:22:00.000-07:00

Oprah gave a whole bunch of people this....

A TV with a refrigerator in it...

Now if that doesn't scream 'obesity' I don't know what does. Wow.

Halloween!

2007-10-29T12:41:00.001-06:00

Here's a few pictures from some trick or treating we took Eli to this weekend. It was a lot of fun. I'll probably post some more after real Halloween. What cute kids...

KP

Nora Grace...

2007-09-20T13:16:00.001-06:00

We had a baby girl last night! For more info, go here:

http://noragraceporter.blogspot.com/

Whoo hoo! Mom and baby are doing great. Eli is a tad bit jealous thought...

I'm an old man who listens to talk radio.

2007-08-23T09:47:00.000-06:00

It's true. I'm now "that guy." I think I probably listen to FM radio about once a month in my car. The rest of the time, I listen to the NPR or my iPod. Today, I was browsing through my AM presets and I stopped on Dr. Dina Dell (spelling?). To my credit, I seldomly listen to guys like him (I have to hang on to at least a shred of my dignity).

So the good Dr. is talking about this study that such and such group conducted on people with heart attacks. Basically, they studied to see if people who prayed (people of Judea-Christian faith only) while in heart attack recovery healed quicker or became more healthy than people who didn't. Then he went on about how he expected that due to the placebo effect that they probably did. Well, it turns out that they didn't. There were some mental and social benefits, but no physical ones. Then he talked a bit about the implications of that and how they pertain to his own doubts about the existence of some sort of a divine being.

I found myself being a little put off by the whole thing. Honestly, I don't much care if the Doc spent his whole show tearing down the existence of a Creator. That's his prerogative. That didn't bother me at all.

What really bothered me is the trite view of our faith the church has projected to our culture. We've dumbed down who God is enough that we've trivialized him as a vending machine to the culture around us. We really just don't get what it's about do we? We spend our time in our churches praying for Aunt Louis who has a strange growth on her left toe and Uncle Steve who has lung cancer now (after smoking a pack a day for 10 years) and then throw out a prayer or two for the missionaries we throw money at every month. Then we go home till the next time.

Resultingly, our culture now sees the Almighty God as a weak man's way to make it through a harsh world. He's dumbed down to a nice grandfather in heaven who's chief concern is our sick friends and relatives.

But, I'm convinced that we're missing it. I've been studying John the Baptist a bit lately. That guy got it. He understood that this Jesus guy was coming to do something big. Something that was worth standing in opposition to the culture around him and shouting from the roof tops. Something worth loosing his head over... literally.

When did we let it become what it has become? When did it stop being something worth dying for and become not much more than something we cling to for comfort. Let's not forget that everything in the Christian faith is dependent on the willing humiliation of a God who took on flesh. I'm quite certain if he was willing to endure it all - the scorn, the suffering, the humanity it wasn't just so that we could pray for the quick recovery of our loved ones.

So then, what do we do? I'm tired of people like me screaming out problems with the church at the top of their lungs and offering no solutions.

Certainly, there is a place for praying for the sick, the hurting, the dying. Jesus did. Just look at the story of Lazarus. Over and over he tells us to take care of these people. And we should. And an element of that is certainly praying for them. But we need more than that. We need action. And not just in a every now and then programmatic way. We need need to be more like John the Baptist. We need to devote our lives to crying out "Prepare the way" and messages of true healing. And that happens in word AND DEED. We need to expect that of our brothers and sisters in Christ. If I'm not doing it, then they suffer. We're one body and we need each others gifts and strengths.

I guess for me that means I need to do a better job reflecting Christ to Century Business Systems in my speech and my actions. Even when I feel like I'm getting taken advantage of. Even in the midst of hardship, Christ models a response of grace (not read passiveness). And to my neighbors who love to drink beer in their truck bed with the radio cranked at 11pm at night.

It's hard though. It's easier to just read nice stories from the Bible and skip the hard parts and tell people that "we're praying from them." Or tell ourselves that God loves us so much He'll make it all better and the hard part will go away. But, sometimes He loves me so much that he doesn't make it all better.

And it's a disservice to the grace we've been give to live a faith that expects life to be that way.

Thanks for letting me rant.

I'm reconsidering Nora's name....

2007-08-08T08:34:00.000-06:00

I'm thinking Superwoman... or maybe 4Fake. Sound stupid? It is. But sadly, it's real. Go here.

For those of you that wasted your childhood like I did...

2007-07-27T13:23:00.003-06:00

Check this out! It's Tecmo Super Bowl from NES, only someone updated it with current rosters. Incredible. Good thing it's Friday and I have nothing to do at work...

World "Losing Fight Agains AIDs"

2007-07-23T09:47:00.001-06:00

BBC currently has an article on their front page about how the world is "Losing Fight Against AIDs" Read the article, it's informative and horrifying. Especially in light of the fact that the problem is worsening in Africa and that Asia is well on it's way to the same infection rates. AIDs is changing what the world looks like. It's hard for me to imagine. The numbers of people dying are so large that I can't wrap my mind around it. Read the article if you've got a minute - it's got some pretty staggering stuff in it. Like:

Only a quarter of the people needing treatment were receiving it, meaning the other three-quarters would continue to spread the epidemic, which was still in its exponential growth stage, Dr Gazzard said.

For every one person that you put in therapy, six new people get infected. So we're losing that game, the numbers game," Dr. Fauci said.

It's a pretty terrible "game" if you ask me. If you're of the mind to pray, go to http://oldnaledi.blogspot.com We keep a weekly update of what's going on with our sister church in Old Naledi there. Clearly AIDs and it's aftermath are something we can't overcome on our own. But as Luke 11 reminds us, we have a Father who loves his children and hears their prayers. So, even if we can't all study, reasearch, give money, or go... we certinaly can and are called to pray. Here's a real tangible way to do that.

Summer Fun

2007-07-21T12:37:00.001-06:00

Here's a few pics of the boy having fun at the pool. He loves the pool.

I was right all along...

2007-07-19T13:19:00.001-06:00

I've always thought that Jane Austen was pretty much the most terrible author of "classic" literature ever. Apparently, so do most of the major publishing agencies once you change the titles and the names of the major characters. That's pretty funny. Thanks Ruetgers.com

The Old Naledi Church

2007-07-16T15:22:00.000-06:00

Hey Friends,

Sorry I haven't updated this too much lately. Mostly, I've just been lazy. I sit in front of a computer half the day bored for work - I'll try to do a better job. Besides, I have some great pics of Eli to post.

Regardless, the Old Naledi church has started to send out a weekly(ish) update of what's going on with them and good ways to pray for them. I'll be posting in to the Old Naledi/Harvest Fellowship Partnership Blog. This would be a great way to find out about the work Erine and I will be joining in and the place we will be living in a year or so. Plus, they value your prayers. So here's the link. Go check it out.

Blessings,
KP

George Bush Sings Sunday Bloody Sunday

2007-06-08T16:10:00.000-06:00

This is really funny.

Minnesota Trip

2007-05-30T19:45:00.000-06:00

We went to St. Paul, MN over the weekend. Did some fun stuff. Went to a river town, a Twins game, and the zoo. Here are a few pics.

A Christian Society

2007-05-22T08:25:00.000-06:00

I've been talking a lot with people about the both the church and the Church universal and how being a part of it should affect the life of the believer. It's tricky because most of us live it out through either 1. trivializing it to a Sunday morning and Wednesday evening 'institution' of sorts or 2. idealizing this unattainable (read Anninia and Siphira) sort of communal living living we see in very small part of the scripture (Acts 4:32-37) and living in constant disappointment. It's pretty interesting to me. Everyone I've talked with (present company included) has a lot more ideas of what the church shouldn't look like than we have ideas on how to change it to be a better reflection of the glory of God. Maybe it's just me. Tell me if I'm wrong.

Anyways, I read this little bit from C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity this morning and found it to be pretty interesting and relevant. All italics or bolding are my additions.

"The New Testament, without going into details, gives us a pretty clear hint of what a fully Christian society would be like. Perhaps it gives us more than we can take. It tells us that there are to be no passengers or parasites: if man does not work, he ought not eat. Every one is to work with his own hands, and what is more, every one's work is to produce something good: there will be no manufacture of silly luxuries and then of sillier advertisements to persuade us to buy them. And there is to be no 'swank' or 'side', no putting on airs. To that extent a Christian society would be what we would now call Leftist. On the other hand, it is always insisting on obedience - obedience (and outward marks of respect) from all of us to properly appointed magistrates, from children to parents, and (I am afraid this is going to be very unpopular) from wives to husbands. Thirdly, it is to be a cheerful society: full of singing and rejoicing, and regarding worry or anxiety as wrong. Courtesy is one of the Christian virtues; and the New Testament hates what it calls 'busybodies.'
If there were such a society in existence and you or I visited it, I think we should come away with a curious impression. We should feel that its economic life was very socialistic and, in that sense, 'advanced', but that its family life and code of manners were rather old fashioned - perhaps even ceremonious and aristocratic. Each of us would like some bits of it, but I am afraid that very few of us would like the whole thing. That is just what one would expect if Christianity is the total plan for the human machine. We have all departed from that total plan in different ways, and each of us wants to make out that his own modification of the original plan is the plan itself. You will find this again and again about anything that is really Christian: every one is attracted to bits of it and wants to pick out those bits and leave the rest."

-- C.S. Lewis from Mere Christianity

I thought this was pretty interesting. I especially like the first paragraph. I think churches would be wise to follow what this Christian society "would be." Particularly the bolded parts.

No passengers or parasites - after all it is a body right? Everybody's got their part, yet it seems like to many of us are just along for the ride. Worse than that, we suck the life out of the people who are doing their part - because those people are also doing our jobs because we're to busy watching. Nothing about the Christian faith was ever advertised as easy... being a part of the body of Christ is no exception.

no manufacture of silly luxuries and then of sillier advertisements to persuade us to buy them. And there is to be no 'swank' or 'side', no putting on airs. - I think this one explains itself. Do we really need a 250,000 dollar sound system with subs and plasma tv's to put the words to our music on? I think not. Nor do we need to whore ourselves out by pouring all our time into looking 'hip' or 'relevant.' Just be the church. It's a reflection of Christ. That's attraction enough. We don't need dress it up with overdone sound systems and swag events. Seriously...

insisting on obedience - The Church is the hands, feet, and mouth of God (the Body) yes? Then, I don't think it's unfair to argue that God has given it authority unlike any other authority on the whole planet. Yet, the church is afraid to call sin what it is. We like to beat around the bush. Not to say that we should be harsh, unloving, and ungracious. By no means. But we also should not compromise. Yet, look at the church here in the US. There are some shinning examples, but there are also a lot who are becoming more and more tolerant of sin within the body. The church really should insist on obedience, because when we don't we all suffer greatly and more than that look just plain foolish - both in the local church and the Church universal.

cheerful society - this one is my favorite. It really should be. The church should be the utmost reflection of joy. By far we have the most to be joyful about.

Anyways, that's my long winded way of saying that I think it's a pretty interesting bit of writing. I'd love to hear what others are thinking.

KP

Psalm 63

2007-05-21T06:40:00.000-06:00

Psalm 63

The Thirsting Soul Satisfied in God.

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.
So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.
When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches,
For You have been my help,
And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
But those who seek my life to destroy it,
Will go into the depths of the earth.
They will be delivered over to the power of the sword;
They will be a prey for foxes.
But the king will rejoice in God;
Everyone who swears by Him will glory,
For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped

Longing for a bit more...

2007-05-20T23:01:00.001-06:00

Tonight find myself having quite a lot of longing to be in Old Naledi, Botswana. Not too sure why. Maybe a bit too much time on the old BBC Africa new site or reading about the KSU students who recently got there or maybe it was seeing Becky for a short while. Regardless, I'd really much rather be there tonight. Not so much in an angry or sad sort of way. More of an anticipation I suppose. I guess what I mean to say is that it's a rather good thing. I can't explain it too well. A joyful longing is about the best I can do.

Then I got to thinking about how if I really understood God for all that He is I would yearn to be worshiping in heaven with every part of me. Old Naledi - this small glimpse of what a beautiful God of restoration and grace we serve stirs up such a longing in me. For me, it's one of the exciting ways for me to tangibly see the character of God. Yet, even though it's about the best I know it's really just a very poor reflection of the tiniest part of the vast richness and beauty of God.

I pray that He would teach us to see Him more completely that we might learn to yearn for the only real thing that will fulfill us. The only real thing worth pursuing.

"Teacher Stages Fake Gun Attack on Students"

2007-05-16T06:19:00.000-06:00

Wow. Talk about the worst idea ever. You'd think that being a teacher would disqualify you from thinking this was a good idea. Apparently not...

Zig Ziglar!

2007-05-14T09:20:00.000-06:00

I knew I had to go to a seminar for work tomorrow on time management and motivation and such... but I never would have guessed that it was featuring none other than Zig Ziglar! Not sure who Zig Ziglar is? It's this guy...

That's right. You so wish you were coming too.

There's also 6 other speakers or so. Including Bill Self. I should be quite a day. If I can find a link about the seminar I'll post it.

~Jim Halpert

Summer is around the corner...

2007-05-12T12:02:00.000-06:00

and Er and I are turning over a new leaf. We're trying to figure as much cool FREE stuff to do with friends, together as a family, or as a date as we can. It should be fun - maybe a good way to get people in the church spending more time with each other outside Sunday morning. After 20 minutes of brainstorming here's what we got.

Fun Things We Like To Do For Free

1. Go on picnics
2. Go on a walk
3. Arts in the Park Music Series
4. Go swimming at City Pool (thanks for the pool passes Poulsons)
5. Take Elijah to the park
6. Go to the Riley County Museam
7. Go for a walk out at Konza
8. Go out to Pilsbury Crossing
9. Couple's game night
10. Grill out at city park
11. Pot Luck/Sand Volleball Night at City Park with Friends 12. Fly a kite (Thanks to Chris Barker for 12-14) 13. Go for a bike ride 14. Walk around campus We'd like some more good ideas and cool people to do them with if you're intrested...

New look!

2007-05-11T10:12:00.001-06:00

That black one was a bit too drab. This one is way more chipper.

A qoute worth reading...

2007-05-11T09:47:00.000-06:00

“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”

- The Talmud

I ran into this today while I was killing some time before work. Friday's are a slow day here at Century Business.

If you're like me aren't very familiar with what the Talmud is go here. It's interesting an educational! Whowza! Thanks wikipedia.

It's interesting how God's desire for His creation hasn't changed between the Old Covenant and the New. It's even more interesting how we're no different than Isreal. We suck at living it out.

Cheers!

And the baby is...

2007-05-10T08:48:00.000-06:00

a healty little girl. We're super excited. Names are pending but we're thinking about Nora. Middle names anyone?

I'll post the pictures we got when I can pry them out of my wife's hands long enough to bring them to work and scan them.

Speeding tickets...

2007-05-07T20:29:00.000-06:00

Nothing quite like getting what you deserve...

Turns out that there's a speed trap up right by where 177 Highway (i.e. Bill Snyder Memorial Highway). It also turns out that you should pay attention to speeding signs instead of fiddling with your radio and looking at the cars around you. Luckly, the officer was quite kind and respectful -- and beyond that gracious and gave me a far lesser ticket than I deserved. Turns out grace can be found in the most unlikely of places. So here's to you officer. Thanks for both ruining my day and reminding me of the goodness of grace all at the same time.

Overall, it's a pretty good thing that I got my ticket. Well... except that my insurance will probably get way more expensive and I owe the state of Kansas $126.00. But, I got the rest of my hour drive to reflect on how this small example of somewhat painful grace is a small reflection of the grace that I receive every second of every minute of my life. I deserve a lot more than the small (probably non-existent) "hard knocks" I think I get all the time. And to think, God's grace doesn't even cost $126 dollars. It only requires the surrender of "my" life...

But then again, it's also the only place that I can find life as it's meant to be. It's kind of a strange, beautiful paradox. Now maybe if I could learn to express the gratefulness I expressed to a cop for granted grace that saved me a few bucks to the God who's granted a grace far more costly and beautiful.

But I guess that brings me back to giving up the mud pies that I like to play in for a wonderful holiday by the sea (thanks C.S. Lewis...).

It's my prayer that we could all learn to live in the fullness of life that grace offers to us... and more than that to be 1/2 as thankful for it as we ought to be. How easily that's lost in the hustle and bustle of work and accidentally going 20 over in 45 mile and hour zone on 177. How easy I forget. Luckily, God throws me cops who only write me tickets for 10 over when I deserve a bigger one. Reflections of the goodness of God's grace can be found all around. I just need to slow the heck down and see them.

Praise be to the God of Redemption who pours out grace on mud caked little boys like me who want so much to be like Him but just loose site when the mud covers our eyes. Praise to the God of Restoration who pulls us out of the mud and slowly washes all the mud of so that we can turn into a reflection of Something far more beautiful so that others can see the beauty of who Redemption is and find completion there. Praise Him.

Happy Birthday Eli...

2007-04-12T20:52:00.000-06:00

Today's Eli's first birthday. It's crazy how fast a year's gone by. It's pretty fun thought... I've watched that little guy go from a fragile premie to a crazy little guy with a personality all his own. While Eli was a bit of an unexpected joy, every day I realize a bit more how perfect God's timing was in giving him to us. That kid just gets to be more and more fun every day. Eli's birthday probably means more to me and his mom than it does to him... but we had a lot of fun. Me and him went out to lunch at McDonalds. That kid pounded back a whole milkshake and a half an order of fries. It's his favorite lunch... Don't worry, he NEVER gets to eat that normally. But it was fun birthday lunchtime. I love that we're our own family and can kinda make up things like birthday traditions as we go along. Happy 1st Eli.

Anyways... here's a few fun photos. One from day 1 and one from today. Scroll down to the post below for some fun pictures of Eli having at his birthday party cake.

Cheers!

Mmmm..... cake....

2007-04-12T20:41:00.000-06:00

As promised...

Eli's First Birthday Party...

2007-04-08T20:30:00.000-06:00

We had Eli's first birthday party this weekend. It was tons of fun. I love my kid. The real deal is Thursday... I can hardly believe it's been a year already. Wow.

Anyways, here's a picture of Eli two fisting his cake. Messier more fun photos coming soon... stay tuned.

KP

The end of an era...

2007-04-04T08:38:00.000-06:00

Today marks the last day of Kevin Porter's employment at the Bluestem Bistro. It's quite a sad day. But, as well as they treat me here at the Bluestem... coffee shops just don't pay the bills for a soon to be family four. So, I'm hanging up my apron...

After spending two weeks training my replacement... tomorow is my full time first day at Century Business Systems. It's bittersweet... but a part of life.

So here's to you Bluestem. Thanks for the fun ride.

Chipmunk face!

2007-03-16T10:42:00.000-06:00

That's right folks, I look like a chipmunk. I got my wisdom teeth surgically removed yesterday and now my lower jaw is swollen. But, if I had to have it done I pretty much picked the best time ever. We got our new couch delievered yesterday AND the NCAA tournament started. Best timing ever. Now if these dang pain pills would just start working like they're supposed to. They're just making me loopy, yet the pain remains.

If you're bored and want to watch Basketball, come on over. Erine is gone all day and it's just me and the tourney here. Bring some KFC mashed potatoes. It's all I can eat right now...

Pictures to follow.

This is phenominally funny.

2007-03-07T09:29:00.000-07:00


Comedian doing a funny skit over hot pockets and how bad they are. Really funny. Also takes cheap shots at NASCAR. Also funny.

Breaking the silence...

2007-03-07T07:53:00.000-07:00

What a crazy months it's been for the Porter's...

We started raising support to go to Botswana and were blessed by how quickly it poured in. Then we found out Er is with child. Which was quite exciting and joyful and yet at the same time quite a confusing thing. After counsel and prayer felt that God changed the timing of us leaving for Botwana to an undisclosed time in the future (hopefully not too distant) even though my heart and dreams still are there, not here. Spent several weeks falling in love with and becoming excited about this new life growing in my wife's womb. I've been running the Bluestem by myself as my boss has been gone the better part of the last 3 weeks as his father in law was very ill and subsequently passed. It's way too much work for one person. Then Er quite nearly miscarried. Apparently the placenta tore. After a long week of not knowing if our child would live or die we were both relieved and blessed to see that our babies heart beat is stronger than ever and that the placenta completely healed itself. Erine does have quite a large cist that causes her a lot of pain and will have to be removed (for the babies sake) if it grows much more, but the doctor is hopeful that it will shrink itself of the next few weeks. But praise God that both wife and baby are fine. Erine just has to take it easy for the next while (i.e. 9 months) and God willing everything will be just fine.

Needless to say, we could use a vacation.

It's a strange thing to go through so much as once. I pretty quickly figured out that I had two choices. I could be angry at God, frustrated with Him seemingly being unjust to me. And that's kinda where I was for a good while. He was after all in control of what was going on. It wasn't beyond Him to have let us discover the blessing of our pregnancy before we sent out support letters to everyone we know. Or to have prevented all the hardships of this pregnancy that had already shaken my world and my plans around so much. But he didn't. This is what He wanted for us to endure. And frankly, it just didn't seem fair to me. In a lot of ways, it still doesn't. I certianly have no understanding of it. But, that was a pretty stupid place to be. In all of my feeling sorry for myself, I began to doubt who God was. More than that, I kind of fell into this pit of unintentional self worship. After all, in my deepest parts I genuinely felt that my well being was more important than how God was moving. Eventually, I moved past that a bit. I stopped feeling so sorry for myself and kinda moved into this apathy. I knew who God was and what He was doing was going to somehow be glory to Himself. But I really just didn't care. I was tired and hurting and just didn't give a care about any of this stuff outside of myself. Which was an equally terrible place to be.

Fortunately, God is faithful to His promises even when I'm not faithful to Him. Since then, I'm in the process of trying to move to choice number two: I could put trust in the fact that God is who He says He is. I've kinda come to a the conclusion that if the goodness of God is dependent on the well being of Kevin then this world is destined to miserable place. I thought about Jacob having to wait so long for his promised son and then being asked to sacrifice him. Clearly his faith was in who God was not in what God was asking/allowing to happen - because Jacob was going to go through with it. I'm sure he was none to excited about it. But because He knew the value and joy of following after God because of who He is, he was willing to endure it. Or Joseph who had a whole lifetime of hardship (compared with my 3 or 4 weeks) who still considered God worth following because of who He was... not because of what was going on around Him. And the list goes on. Not that I have half of the faith of these sorts of men and women... but I am learning how to be more like that. Because despite what God is doing/allowing in my life. He is good. He's faithful. He's gracious. He's slow to anger and quick to love. His mercy is so abundant that my mind could never wrap it's self around it, even if I spend my whole life trying. He is just. I know these things are true. And even when things in my life don't seem (emphasis on seem) to reflect that to be true I have to remember esentially the whole history of this fallen planet where He has continually shown that be to true. Over and over and over. His nature is good and loving, even when what He gives me to endure hurts so very much. So I can trust that His plans are as well. For some purpose, seen or unseen God has given us the joy of enduring this all. And it's okay, because we'll be better off for it. Already God has taught me so much about Himself and about faith. And even though my dream is a little farther down the road now, I have a wonderful blessing on the way that I wouldn't trade away for even my wildest dream. God really is good to us. Praise Him for it.

KP

Big news...

2007-02-14T07:18:00.000-07:00

We mailing this out tomorrow... but you heard it here first.

February 12th, 2006

Family and Friends,

Hello from the Porters! Recently, we sent you all out an update letting you know of our plans to move to Botswana to follow the Lord's calling to work along side His church there. Since then, we've received some rather unexpected, joyous news! We've discovered that Erine is going to have a baby in October! We are so excited for this new surprise, but it has changed the way that this calling the Lord has given is going to play out. After talking with doctors and the leadership God has put over us, they have all advised that we postpone our initial departure date of this summer. It's been a really difficult decision to make as our hearts are still focused and ready to be in Old Naledi -but after much prayer and council we fell that it really is what God desires for us.

So, where does that leave us? We still feel God's calling to live and work along side the folks in Old Naledi as we continue to develop this church partnership. God has still laid it heavy on our hearts to be a part of what He is doing in this way. He's has just changed His timing. So for now we're going to be a part by raising awareness locally as well as gathering His saints to be intentional with their prayers regarding the AIDS pandemic in Africa. We will also be using this time to prepare and equip for the future when we do go. Then in a year or so, when God makes His timing clear we will pack up our two beautiful children and settle in Old Naledi, Botswana.

We're sending you this letter for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, so you can share in the joyous news of the new member of our family! Secondly, we've asked you for your support because we value it so much. We need your prayers now as much as ever as these unexpected changes bring great joy as well as a degree confusion and hardship of what to do in the here and now. It's been a good lesson that God desires our obedience, even when we don't understand what He's asking us to do. His plans are better than ours, even when we can't comprehend them. We'll still be sending out updates about what is going on in this process. Some of you have also been praying about supporting us financially. We will be using this time to continue to gather up our support (which will be slightly more now), but we are going to be a little less focused on that for the time being as we don’t have a very clear time frame anymore. So, we still welcome any support that God would lead you to give, but know that many of you will want to wait until there are more firm details and more solidified plans. We'll be calling all of you that have already provided financial support over the next few days so that you better let us can let us know what you'd like us to do with it.

Wow. That's a lot to pack into a letter. You can imagine the roller coaster of emotions the last few weeks have been for us. We are so grateful to all of you for your prayers and support in this whole process. Without such a great base of support, we'd be lost. God has truly blessed us.

Under His Grace,
Kevin, Erine, Eli, and Baby

PS - Please don't hesitate to e-mail me with any questions or just to say hello at kevinpporter@gmail.com

As long as I'm posting....

2007-01-30T18:04:00.000-07:00

I know this is post number 437 today... but here's and article from Relevant..

Go here to read about McBlessings. A happy reminder that the grass really isn't all that greener on the other side.

My kid is really cute...

2007-01-30T17:47:00.000-07:00

These are from around Christmas... he's always smiling. I love it. How lucky am I?

Coach P

2007-01-30T17:17:00.000-07:00

I've been coaching the Jr High Boys basketball team for Flint Hills Christian School the last few months. Due to our recently canceled tournament (which is a rotten then to take away from a kid just two weeks away) my season ends Thursday of next week. Supprisingly, I'm pretty bummed about it. I love coaching. Don't get me wrong, I'll love the free time. It'll give me a chance to get this crazy life of mine sorted out a bit and maybe even I'll get to take a nap for the first time in months... but man, I love to coach.

It's amazing what you can learn about yourself from a bunch of 12 year olds. I've learned that deep down, no matter what anybody might tell you - I'm an optimist. These kids have won one game this whole year. I think we're something like 1-11. I like to think it's not due to poor coaching (but I'm sure that has a part) or lack of talent so much as it has to do with us playing a whole bunch of schools that are way out of our league. The few teams that we've played that were close to our level we've played with in 3-5 points. I hate loosing by 3 points. Anyways, back to me not being as much of a pessimist as I thought I was. I really go into every game (almost) expecting those kinds to get a W. It's not really realistic - but I have a lot of faith in those kids. I kinda wonder if that's how God looks at me when I'm getting ready to step on the court? Probably not, but it's kinda a neat picture. So far I'm my record is about 2 and 1million (the two wins being my wife and son) and still God's on my bench giving direction - directing trafic; Helping out. Anticipating me to do great things for His team And sometimes, I lose by 100 points... but Coach just helps me learn from it, fix what I did wrong and try again next week. I think I've learned a little about not just basketball but about who God is by interacting with 12 year olds. I'm probably more like them than I know. Regardless, It's been fun. I'll be sad when it's over.

Also, no matter what anyone tells you - hustle can't always win you a game. I've watched those kids play with more heart and intensity than I've ever seen in Jr High. Sadly, they don't have a lot to show for it. They worked a lot harder and played like a team a lot better than anybody else we've played. But man, we all learned a lot about basketball and being a team.

Eh. Three games left. I think we'll probably go 3-0.

KP

18 Bullet Holes by Don Chaffer

2007-01-29T14:55:00.000-07:00

I was playing a little music this afternoon while I cleaned up the house before I leave to go coach basketball and this song came on. I think this is probably one of the most moving songs ever. Anyways, I decided to post the lyrics because in their own way they're really worshipful. Enjoy.

18 Bullet Holes

by Don Chaffer

18 bullet holes in the body of a priest
They say he was eating a hot dog when the ammunition was released.
They say he was always fat and lazy but he was an awfully nice guy.
That’s just one more death to show you you never know when you’re gonna die.
You might be facing the beast

Sometimes, God, I feel like I’m living in a bone grinding mill
And every time I hear the sound I can barely stand still
It’s a thing I can’t quite make out sometimes but it seems to keep getting louder-
One more body from the valley of the dry bones getting ground up into powder
Against Your holy will

Oh, God, it hurts so bad to love anybody down here
Why don’t You come and help me out?
Cause I can’t even see clear

The funny thing about the way a girl gets destroyed
About the way that deal goes down
Is that everybody pretty much sees it coming at the sister
From all the way across town
And she isn’t always blinded, she isn’t always far astray
She just might not be thinking, she might be having a bad day
But when you choose, you choose, and when you drown, you drown

Last night I dreamed that You swallowed me into Yourself
And I was floating on the sea inside
When I landed on the shore, I saw all these people that I thought had died
I hadn’t seen some of them for ages
They had left without a single word
And when I said something to them, not a single one of them had heard

They were all looking right through everything like it wasn’t even there
Some were full of anger, some full of fear
And then I recognized that something very sad
But very beautiful was happening right here
They were all caught outside standing alone in a very heavy rain
And when a raindrop landed on my tongue
I didn’t need You to explain
That these were Your tears

Oh, God, it hurts so bad to love anybody down here
Oh, that’s right, You know so well
One thorny crown, three nails, and a spear
One thorny crown, three nails, and a spear

Sad realization...

2007-01-03T07:49:00.000-07:00

This week while I was at the Urbana conference spending a lot of time listening to very wise men and women try to bring their brilliance down to my level and squeeze it into my little brain a lot of them were talking about the American perception of Africans. It's pretty sad. I think this BBC Africa article I read this morning, especially the beginning, explain it pretty well. Worth the read.

"He Left Here A Long Time Ago"

2006-12-19T21:14:00.000-07:00

Er and I went to see a movie by ourselves (no friends, no Eli) for the first time since, well we became mommy and daddy.

We went and saw "Blood Diamond." It was outstanding. It was well written, the cinematography is stunning, and well cast (believe it or not, Leonrdo DiCaprio is the lead. "Jack" grew up to be not "king of the world" but rather a talented actor.)

It's another film about Africa made about 6 years after the chaos is starting to settle. That seems to be the trend these days. Yet, what is staggering to me is that still it continues on, in a new way and in a new place... but the blood that gives Africa it's red soil continues to spill. I wonder what kind of film they'll make about Darfur in 10 years. I love that Hollywood is bring awareness about... I hate that our response tends to be checkbooks or shed tears. But then I come back to, what is there to be done. Er and I talked about this a bit. I kind of decided that the problem is solved one person at a time. But the more I think, the more I realize that in fact the problem can't be solved one person at a time. Rather, it's all in the hands of an all-merciful, all-sovereign God who seeks to restore the world to the utopia it was. A place of peace... a place entirely about Him. In the film, the main character says "I used to wonder if God can forgive us for what we've done to each other, to ourselves... but then I realized we're past that. He left here a long time ago." This place in which we live is just a shell of what it was created to be; but fortunately God has not forsaken us. It's especially good to remember that in this time of Advent. Certainly, there is pain. It's not going anywhere anytime soon. But there is also joy and hope in knowing that there is a God of Peace. of Justice. A God worthy to be worshiped. A God who can forgive us for what we've done to each other, to ourselves, to the paradise that He gave us, and to even His very self. And He hasn't abandoned us - that's evident.

So while I can't fix it - even one person at a time. God controls it. He uses it for Himself - in way that go so far beyond me deepest uderstanding. And I'm okay with that. I'll just let Him do what He wants to do and play my part. Because that's where the our hope lies. Not in trying to fix things, but letting them be restored. Made new. And I can't do that no matter how hard I try - so I'll let Him do it and I'll help as much as He wants me to.

Anyways, I didn't quite mean to write all of that... but there it is. Take it for what it is. But do go see the movie. People need to be aware of what goes on outside our little suburbia. Or at least, I sure as heck do. It's the best film I've seen in a very very long time. Just don't' go into it with the the same superhero complex I walked out of it with.

KP

PS - It shows the trajedy of what goes on with the capturaing/training of children to fight in the rebel armies. It will break your heart. It's probably the worst thing I've ever watched on a movie. I can't begin to imagine the horror of having Eli ripped from my arms to be broken down so he can be trained to kill me later. Praise God that He did bless me with a safe little suburbia to raise my son in. It says that there are some 200,000 children currently being used in rebel armies. Certianly that and the Darfur are things to be praying for.

PPS - If you read all of this you deserve a gold star. I like to ramble on about nothing sometimes and if got through it all you either need more to do or are extremely patient. Either way, thanks for reading. This was probably more for me than you though. Blessings.

Botswana Team Update - 12/11/06

2006-12-11T22:18:00.000-07:00

I just mass mailed this out... if by some small chance someone who isn't in my e-mail address book reads this, here's where we're at. We sure do appreciate people's prayers.

Also, cute pictures of my kid as a sheep in the Harvest Fellowship Christmas Program are coming soon. He's a cuttie.

Welp, time to make my wife wake up at least long enough to go from the couch to the bed. She's a sweetie. She stayed up past her bedtime to proofread all the letter's I've been working on tonight.

Anyways, I hope that all who read this are wellish. Here's that e-mail.

Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 23:17:30 -0600
Subject: Africa Team Update - 12/11/06 - Second Try

Hey everyone!

First off, sorry if you got this twice. I'm just now builing the e-mail list and messed it up the first try. You won't get it twice every time - I promise.

You're getting this e-mail because you either signed up at Harvest of the "Botswana Bash" to get updates from the Hartnett/Porter team or because you're my friend and I thought you'd like to hear what's going on as we go through this adventure of preparing to move to Africa. Either way, if you dont' want to get any more updates from us e-mail me back and I'll cross you off the list.

Now that that's said and done - I hope you all are well. Sorry that we haven't sent out an update since the Botswana Bash. Life has been pretty hectic for all of us - we've been remodeling the store/installing a new system at the Bluestem and it's consumed almost all of my time. And I may be speaking out of turn, but Becky is pretty busy with school and being a dorm resident assistant and being active on campus. It think we're all ready for the rest that we hope the holidays will bring. That is certinaly one way that you could be praying for us. Just that God would give us times of rest. I am feeling really overwhelmed with work (both at the Bluestem and as a Jr. High Basketball Coach), trying to figure out how to move to Africa (which is amazingly exciting and a LOT of work) and the pressures of everyday life. I'm pretty worn out. But, hopefully things will be slowing down here shortly.

In other news, we are in the process of trying to start a partnership with an organzation called the Flying Mission. They are an organization that works extesnively with HIV/AIDS communities by providing humanitarian aid in the name of Christ. They do a lot of work in Botswana and the capitol city where we will be and we hope that we can mutually help/work along side one another to glorify God. They asked us to write them a letter explaining what we will be doing in Old Naledi, how they can help, and what we would like to do for them. They also asked us to send them some resumes. I just finished the letter tonight. We just need to polish up our resumes and we'll fax it to them. They could really provide a lot of help finding us housing (maybe even provide it for free), with visas, with language/culture training... things like that. You could really be praying that God would cause that to come about. It would make the logistical things SO much easier. Also, it would be good for us to have fellowship outside of Old Naledi as well.

I am also currently working on drafting up a support letter. We finally have a better idea of how much the Porters need to put this whole thing into action. Pray for God's wisdom as we finalize the budget stuff and write this letter. Also, praise Him for the blessings of a great church home. Harvest has really been a great support to us in SO many ways - through prayer, support, accountability, and friendship. They also have gotten behind us and agreed to be our sending church. They also made us an official part of the budget and provided our first real financial support. It's exciting to see our dreams of working with this church in Old Naledi turn into tangible realities. Prasie God for that.

We're also excited that around New Year's our team will be going to St. Louis for a conference called Urbana. It's a missions conference that helps people prepare to go into the field. We're especially excited because this year they have an option to focus specifically on going to parts of the world where AIDs is a major issue. It should be a great time to build some team unity as well as a great time of learning/eqiuiping as well as worshiping. If anybody knows anyone in St. Louis that might have a place where we can stay, Kevin, Erine, and Elijah's place to stay didn't pan out. We have a hotel option, but it's pretty expensive and it would be a blessing to have place to stay for cheap/free. Anyways, keep the confernece in your prayers. It's the 27th of Dec through the 1st of January. It should be a really good learning time.

This letter is getting kinda long and that wraps up the big things going on with the Botswana Team (or at least the the big things on the Porter side of things). We are so greatful for the prayers and support that all of you provide in so many ways. I promise that we won't be so long in giving you an update next time. I'm going to shoot for at least every two weeks. Feel free to e-mail me any questions/comments/suggestions/a quick hello or ways that we can be praying for you all. Thanks so much. We are so greatful for you all.

Blessings,
Kevin for the Botwana Team

Who says there's nothing good in the news....

2006-12-03T08:28:00.000-07:00

Take that Starbucks!

But if you look at their website they talk about how socially equitable they are....

Left Behind... the video game.

2006-11-04T14:53:00.000-07:00

Go here for a laugh... or better yet, don't.

Left Behind: The Video Game

Halloween Pics

2006-11-02T18:33:00.000-07:00

As promised...

Vader and 80's chick...

My son is really cute...

Can't figure out how to turn this one around...

Arch enemies...

Halloween Rocks.

2006-10-31T20:53:00.000-07:00

I love Halloween. We dressed up Eli as Yoda, Erine was an 80's chick, and I was Darth Vader. It was crazy fun. We went to the mall then went over to see Barb, then to Mike C's birthday party. It was great fun. Pictures forthcomming.

KP

"Botswana Bash"

2006-10-31T14:34:00.000-07:00

You're Invited
To The First Ever “Botswana Bash”

Come Join Us For A Desert Party
Sunday, November the 12th
at 7:00 pm
in the Faith Evangelical Free Church Youth Wing

It will be an informal time to just hang out and also to hear Kevin, Erine, and Elijah Porter and Becky Hartnett talk about what God is doing in Old Naledi, Botswana. Then specifically, we plan to share the vision He has given to our team for the year or so we're planning to live there.
So please come and bring any questions or ideas you might have with you!

Questions?
Call Kevin at 341-4288

"Revisiting AIDS" - by Nathan Penner

2006-10-25T08:04:00.000-06:00

I found a link to this left over in my e-mail box. I really liked it. He used work with the church we're trying to go and work with. Enjoy.

KP

LINK TO ARTICLE

Revisiting Aids

Last weekend, I struggled to reach my house because of a funeral two doors down for a young woman about my age (24). She died of AIDS.

I think I have forgotten what I used to know about the AIDS crisis before I came to live in Botswana. I was vaguely aware of statistics like 14 million orphans and 8,000 AIDS-related deaths each day. Living in central California, however, I understood very little of what was happening with the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa, and I am sad to say that I did not really care.

The people I have now learned to love were faceless individuals in a country that wasn’t on my radar screen. Their problems were not my problems. It was easy for me to think that the situation was being dealt with because the government was spending lots of money on the epidemic. Other similarly misguided thoughts occasionally crossed my mind.

Like most American Christians, I mainly just blew it off and assumed others would deal with the problem and eventually it would go away. But I doubt I even thought about it that much. AIDS in Africa was just an occasional article in the local paper, or a five-minute blurb on the six o’clock news. Maybe it was quickly mentioned in passing at church – something that caused a brief feeling of pity, but was soon forgotten and dismissed. In any case, it was a distant problem that didn’t affect me at all.

Having lived in Botswana for over a year, it is clear that this problem affects everyone.

In this past year, I have become more familiar with the AIDS scene in Botswana than I would like to be. I now know a little bit about the organizations in Africa that receive some of their money from the Bill Gates Foundation and the Bush administration. I have met some of the people working in those organizations.

To be honest, knowing these things makes the problem much more depressing.

It is depressing because the money being spent on the pandemic will not stop the encroaching tidal wave. The counselors employed by the government and non-governmental organizations to help promote "positive living" are under the same pressures as those they are trying to help. These people who are working hard to stop this wave cannot be left to stand alone, or they too will become a victim.

It is depressing because some of those working in the AIDS prevention field do so for financial gain, not out of personal conviction.

It is depressing because the average person does not view abstinence as a possibility. Condoms are widely advertised, but abstinence is left to churches and faith-based organizations to offer as an option. And it is only the church that can connect people with power and support to help them live an abstinent lifestyle until marriage and be faithful in marriage.

It is depressing because funerals are a way of life in Botswana. On Friday and Saturday nights funeral hymns echo through the streets as grieving family members hold vigils the night before the deceased is laid to rest. Moruti James, the pastor with whom I work, is often exhausted on Sunday mornings because he was officiating a funeral just hours before. I’ve lost count of how many funerals he officiated during the two months I lived with his family.

To add to the overwhelming feeling this problem presents is that it is often talked of generally, but rarely talked about personally. Although it is estimated that over a third of the population is living with the virus, few people admit to having the virus. Relatively few people go to get tested for the virus and even fewer people change their lifestyle in order to avoid getting the virus. It is good that the government, with the help of money from Bill Gates and other sources, provides drugs to help people stay healthy and lead productive lives. But this is only one part of the fight.

I am not writing this to give the established organizations a bad name, or to say that money should not be spent on the problem. Indeed, many of these organizations are doing valuable work. I am writing this because it is my belief that the church has ignored the problem for too long. It has been easy for the church, both here and in North America, to treat the problem with a very judgmental attitude. The easy way for the church to avoid the challenge, which the problem presents, is to blame the victim. "They are reaping the punishment for the lifestyle they chose to live." This viewpoint is flawed from the beginning for several reasons.

First, Christine is an orphan after both of her parents, who were faithful to each other, died of AIDS. Her father was in a car accident and received infected blood. He then infected his wife with the virus. What was wrong with their lifestyle? Was this punishment?

Secondly, I work with many youth and children in Old Naledi. Most of these children do not have parents. If they do have a parent, he or she is most likely sick and/or caring for a brother/sister/mother/father/niece/nephew with AIDS. A girl in our youth group is a good example. She is unique because both of her parents are still alive. She has already lost at least one sister to the virus and now her father is extremely sick with tuberculosis (TB). TB is one of the biggest killers in Botswana because it takes advantage of the AIDS-weakened immune system. In the end, everyone in his family will suffer. Are they being punished? For what?

The third and largest flaw in this attitude is that a judgmental response to pain and suffering completely misses the heart of Jesus and His good news. At the center of Christianity is humility, forgiveness and love for the suffering. Jesus continually demonstrated His love for the outcast of the world. Tony Campolo has compared current attitudes toward AIDS with the attitudes towards leprosy in Jesus’ time. Jesus’ response and initiative toward those with leprosy should teach us in our attitudes and relationships with those infected with the HIV virus.

Even if the ones suffering from HIV/AIDS contracted it through immoral lifestyles, does that diminish the Christian churches’ responsibility to extend Christ’s love? If we cannot extend Christ’s grace and mercy and love and forgiveness, do we really understand who Christ was and is?

If the AIDS wave is going to be diverted, a change of heart needs to occur. The church has the power to make this happen. Jesus repeatedly changed the hearts and lives of people, and He still does. The church must be the conduit for His transforming power.

It is in the local church here in Botswana that I have found hope in the midst of this crisis. I work with youth who are on fire for Christ. They lead godly lives as best they can and work hard to keep each other accountable. The church has given them something to hold on to that is stable and supportive. The church has this power. The church shows its community that God and His people care about the real issues in people’s lives. He is not shut up behind the walls of the building, but is involved in the real world through His followers.

But the local church in Botswana and in Africa needs support from the global church – not just organizations and denominations but local church bodies. The problem needs the attention of Christians who have never been to Africa. It needs the attention from Christians who mistakenly think the problem has nothing to do with them. It needs the attention from Christians who are willing to get involved at the personal and corporate and systemic levels to address an issue that is killing millions of people who are made in the image of a God who loves them. This type of active attention from a unified global church would make a meaningful difference to those who suffer, and would speak powerfully to a world who believes God and his people don’t care about this problem.

[Nathan Penner is an MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) worker in Gaborone, Botswana, the country that has the highest percentage of people living with HIV or AIDS in the world. MCC has launched a 10-year, multi-million dollar initiative called Generations at Risk to respond to HIV/AIDS. To learn more, visit www.mcc.org/aids/index.html or phone (559) 638-6911.]

Letter of intent... or something

2006-10-22T20:36:00.000-06:00

Erine and I officially sent this letter to Harvest 5 mintues ago. It feels really good to be making steps twoards moving to Botswana. Thought some of you might like to see it.

KP

October 22, 2006

Harvest Fellowship,

This summer you all sent a couple of teams to Old Naledi, Botswana with the desire to form a partnership between God's church here in Manhattan and the one there. In our short time in Botswana, we firmly believe you started that process. But, that was just the beginning. This is a partnership that Harvest and Old Naledi both desire to develop and continue to grow.

As many of you know, God has put a desire on my family's heart to continue to take another step in this partnership by moving to Old Naledi and working with the fellowship there. Old Naledi fellowship and Pastor (“Moruti”) James have also expressed a desire for us to come along side of then to serve the Father. So, it is our payer that sometime late next summer we will cross the ocean and make a home in Botswana. It is our hope to be sent as a team with Becky Hartnett (Dave and Barb's daughter).

The church of Old Naledi has even expressed specific work for us to do. I have been asked to help lead the youth men, Erine to help with the women and the large number of young moms in the church and community, and Beck with the youth girls. There are also many physical needs to be met as a result of the devastating impact of AIDS and the poverty in this village. The harvest is plentiful and ready – but the workers are few.

Now to the point of this letter – it is the great desire of Erine, Elijah, and myself to be sent out by this church. We desire to be an extension of you all – not a separate entity. We still desire and need the payer, support, accountability, and fellowship this body has shared with us this last year. So, please pray. Ask God if this is something He would have Harvest to do. We can't do it alone.

Under His Grace,
Kevin, Erine, and Elijah Porter

Post on my other blog...

2006-10-17T21:16:00.000-06:00

I posted on my other blog... the Africa one. If you want to read it, go here

KP

One year notice...

2006-10-11T08:36:00.000-06:00

About a week ago, I put my "one year notice" at my job. I love the Bluestem Bistro a whole heck of a lot - I even had dreams of owning it not too long ago. But I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. Partly because my talk with my boss went way better than I could have ever hoped for (i.e. we both felt really appreciated and I still have a job - thanks if you were praying for that) - Kevin Peirce is a pretty great guy/boss. But mostly, because we (the Porters) are finally moving in a new direction. We're putting our God given passions into action. I love the BB, but it just wasn't making me excited to get up and go to work in the mornings anymore. However, now that this is more of an in between sort of phase - I kind of have this renewed passion to go to work again. It's great. Also, I get to figure out how in the heck we're going to get to Botswana. Which, is proving to be a bigger task than I originally anticipated. Speaking of... back to work.

But, all this talk of loving coffee shops reminds me...

2006-10-04T07:42:00.000-06:00

This, the BBC homepage for Africa, makes me sad. So much hurt and heartache. So much need.

War.

2006-10-04T07:37:00.000-06:00

What justifies it?

We went to one place because we suspected they had weapons of mass destruction and felt justified doing so.

Now, another (who I might add isn't particularly friendly with us either) is straight out telling us they have and will soon be testing nuclear weapons is just being told "Stop it! That's bad!"

Hidden motives perhaps finally coming to light? Or just one country is more of a threat than another?

There's something to be said for consistancy in foreign policy.

Pictures for my Scottish friends.

2006-09-19T20:48:00.000-06:00

These are some pictures for my Scottish friends Dave and Jen. She designed and implemented the creation of this beautiful mural that now graces the wall of my son's room. It's super cool. Also, K-State football is allways a good time... with or with rain or an offensive line.

Sadly, I'm a smuck. I promised to get Jen these photos before she headed back to Scottland and didn't. Since they won't e-mail right, I'm posting them here for her to copy to her computer. Sorry Jen. A cd with the photos is in the mail.

But, the bright side is that the rest of you get to see the super rad mural.

PS - Jen, there are more than just these... but these are the best ones. I'll include the rest on the cd I'm going to send you.

PPS - To those of you that actually read this thing... sorry I haven't posted in awhile. College football and the video game I got for my birthday are sucking my life away.

Crazy fat singing dutch boy.

2006-09-07T21:37:00.000-06:00

Thanks to my Scottish friends, I know now that if you google "crazy fat singing dutch boy" this is what you'll find. (Scroll down the page just a bit to see the video bit.)

Or equally as good... video googleling "Japanesse Backstreet Boys" leads to this nugget of joy.

Good eats.

2006-09-05T16:36:00.000-06:00

We tried to feed Eli rice cereal for the first time. It was pretty fun for us. I'm not to sure he ate any of it, but he sure thought we were pretty funny for putting goopy stuff in his mouth.

What a week...

2006-08-29T15:53:00.000-06:00

So far this week...

1. I got in a car wreck.

2. Got a ticket for said car wreck (I'm still not convinced I deserved it)

3. Watched my wife fall down and hurt her foot pretty good while working for me.

4. Watched my wife pour an entire pitcher of scalding milk on herself while working for me.

5. Had to call all of our friends to find a ride for my wife to the doctors since we don't have a car (see number 1)

6. Find out that the bumper getting damaged on my car is enought for my insurance company to total it out for way less than it's worth (to me anyways - RIP Trudy).

Yet, I'm still in a pretty dang good mood. Yesterday was kinda rough - but today I feel just great (well, now at least). It's good to have some friends that remind you that God pretty faithful - even when it looks like a totaled Mitshubishi Mirage.

Besides, the weather is super nice. What better time than this to get to walk everywhere? I like walking.

I think I'd like to read this...

2006-08-26T10:33:00.000-06:00

"Body Piercing Saved My Life: Inside the Phenominon of Christian Rock." http://www.perseusbooksgroup.com/dacapo/book_detail.jsp?isbn=0306814579

Here's a review...

http://blog.marshillchurch.org/voxpop/2006/07/25/review-body-piercing-saved-my-life/

Cheapskates.

2006-08-24T18:15:00.000-06:00

Today, as I walked to the back of the store to fetch some milk to replinish what was starting out as a busy morning I noticed something. I noticed of the 12 or so people who were sitting in the store every single one of them was either sitting and reading the Bible or they were meeting with another person reading the Bible. One would think/hope my first reaction would be to be encouraged... sadly not the case.

Rather, it went a little something like this... "DANG! I bet we've only made 2.50 in tips despite being busy. A dollar from Tammy, a dollar from Ron, and the leftover change from that lady who allways gets skinny chia teas."

So I went back to the counter milk in tow. I took a quick look in the tip jar and I was right almost to the cent. (2.67)

This story made me realize two things:

1.) I can be quite selfish and greedy.

2.) The way people use their money reflects what they value.

Christians (often present company included) are the quite quick to throw money at "super spiritual" things like missionaries, ministry staff who are funded by support, short terms missions, Billy Grahm crusades, etc..

Yet when it comes to something so simple as dropping your leftover .32 cents into the tip jar we just don't do it. Sure, there are a lot of people who stiff baristas on tips... but it seems that the Christian cross-section of the population is proportionately worse. There's a reason that none of the baristas that work for me want to work Thursday night. It's because they know all the campus Chritian groups wil be comming in afterwards and will be super needy, probably buy very little, and then leave even less tip. Nobody wants to work super hard and not have anything to show for it.

So, how people use their money really does reflect what they value. We as Christians value things that are "super spiritual," distant, and involves almost no personal sacrfice/work. We often don't value the people who are right in front of us. The people who really do notice when you have your "accountability" meeting or bible study and dont' order anything or at best buy something but dont' even leave your leftover .12 cents in the tip jar.

So, keep shooting those checks out to "God's work" while the work and the people He has prepared for you personally slip bitterly by.

Frustrated,
KP

PS - Thanks to those of you who do an outstanding job of not only leaving the extra .37 cents on your 4 doallar drink behind but also taking the time to speak to us with care and intrest (mostly Dave, Vaughn, and Ron.)

PPS - I promise to try to be less indignant in my next post. Circumstances just seem to keep pointing me in that direction this week.

I'm confused.

2006-08-22T16:26:00.000-06:00

This whole Christianity thing confuses me.

How much of this is just based on our own personal conceptions of the gospel and how much is based on what Jesus really said?

I look at verses like the Sermon on the Mount, John 17, Revelation 18, the beginning of Acts, pretty much everything that Jesus did while on earth and can't help but wonder... are we missing the point.

I look at what he spent his time and efforts on. Then I look at what we spend our time and efforts on. They don't seem to match up. We're so busy starting "ministries" and keeping them going, building great churches with emmaculate sound systems, have 'acountability' groups (whatever that means...), etc. etc. etc. It seems like we're kinda missing the point to me.

Back to that John 17 passage... Christ talks about having glorified the Father by fufilling the work that He (the Father) had left him to do. That work the passage goes on to say is "manifesting men" and "establishing them in the Word."

The work that Christ left us to do isn't too much different I wouldn't think? But... except for when we're doing 'outreaches' do we really do it? I wonder sometimes.

It's really hard for me to seperate the things that Christ says following Him are all about from the things that my culture tells me a Christian is all about. They're not really the same... but they have similar ellements.

What does being a Christ follower look like when you're the boss? The servant behind the esspresso machine? When my boss is ripping my butt?

I think it means more than I've been taught. It means more than not swearing, not stealing, allways wearing a smile, spouting off Christianeese in my Young Life T-shirt, calling people "brother," being involved in 12 ministiries to show my spiritual maturity, ownining the newest David Crowder album, and having read "Blue Like Jazz" 6 and 1/2 times.

It means being like Christ. Being a part of the world, but not being of it. (cliche, I know). But really being in it. Not in the Chritian one I've created.

It also means not sugar coating the words of the Father. Calling it like it is so to speak.

But still, I'm not sure what it looks like entirely.

Confused.

2006-03-15T08:41:00.000-07:00

Friends are good things. Today, I got a much needed reminder from a friend that in the midst of the excitement of Elijah comming. He told me he had a dream that I was beating myself with my fist and saying over and over and saying "I'm not a good father, I'm not a good father." It seemed kinda funny to me at first that he dreamed of me and that it was a bit abusrd, but the more I think of it the more it ressonates true with me. For all kinds of reasons, self-loathing and confidence is something I'm far from good at. I do constantly question and doubt myself. Not so much in a healthy "how can I grow kind of way," but in a disabling, not accepting whom God has made me to be sort of way. It was a good reminder that I have all that I need in my Heavenly Father and need not be so anxious. God's shot me straight so far - I just need to learn how to let Him do it through me instead of trying to do it all myself so much.

My friend also reminded me that before I became daddy I became husband and that in all the wonderful things that are going to happen, not to forget that Erine still needs that from me. A simple thing, but something I would probably have fallen into. It's easy to get wrapped up in the excitement and expectations.

So thanks friend. I'm encouraged. The body of Christ is a beautiful thing.

KP

Christmas Thoughts (from 12/23, not 12/12)

2005-12-12T21:21:00.000-07:00

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census be taken of the whole inhabited earth. This was the fist census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register with Mary who was engaged to him and was with child. While they were there the days were completed for her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was nor room for them in the inn.
Luke 2: 1-7

You know the rest. Angles had already shown up and freaked out Mary and Joseph - told them not to worry that they were favored by the Most High and Mary was going to bring the Son of God into the world. They go to Bethlehem. Mary gives birth to Jesus as cows and donkeys stand guard. Wise men show up. Angles sing choruses. And then the whole scene ends up as a plastic scene lit up by halogen bulbs in your neighbor’s front yard.

It’s what we’ve come to see Christmas as. Ask anybody to tell in your church to tell you the Christmas story and you’ll get something like that (except that last bit). We love this stuff. And why not? It’s beautiful.

That’s not really what scares me. What scares me is how we just leave it as a beautiful story. But it’s not just a warm, fuzzy. It’s the biggest thing that’s happened to humanity, EVER. Bigger than 9/11, bigger than the AIDS epidemic, and even bigger than Wal-mart’s unbelievably low prices at 4a.m. the day after Thanksgiving. How quickly we’ve become desensitized to the hugeness of this event and allowed to become a nice story we read at Christmastime (if there’s time after we set up our house decorations and finish our shopping).

But this isn’t just a cute baby in a manger. It’s the God of the Universe. Omnipotent. The King of Kings. The Christ. Yet, there he lies - in a manger in the middle of a filthy barn surrounded by stinky noisy animals. He’s crying because He’s hungry and He needs His mother to feed Him. Yes, the Creator of the Universe is crying because He needs His mother to feed Him. Why? Because He loves you and wants to restore you to the purpose of His creating you - to take joy in Him and drink His ways in deep and be satisfied like you can be by nothing else. This is the depths of His love for you - to take on this flesh for no other reason than glorifying His father by redeeming you. And this is just the beginning.

Certainly, this among the most beautiful of all stories. But it’s a lot more than that. Skip down a few verses. Joseph takes his wife and this beautiful child and they flee. Then they hide. Not just for a week or two. They hide in Egypt until Herod finally dies. There’s a reason they had to hide. The birth signified the beginning of something huge. Something so big that even the ruler of all the known world would seek out this little baby born in a filthy barn to destroy him.

I was reading in Revelations this morning and stumbled upon a passage that reminded me of how big this story really is. How much more it is that just a warm, fuzzy story to read at Christmas time.

A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.
Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold; a great dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his head were seven diadems. And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth so that she gave birth he might devour her child.
And she gave birth to a male child, who is to rule all nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne. Then the woman fled inot the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God…
And there was a war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon.
Revelation 12:1 -7

Puts things back into perspective doesn’t it?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m no Scrooge. I love Christmas. I love sparkling lights. I love spending time with family whom I love. I love the sparkle in my wife’s eye when I break down the day after Thanksgiving and finally turn on a Christmas cd and sing it with her, I love the plastic tree in our living room covered in shinny balls, I love the gifts, and heck, I even like some of the tacky yard art. Enjoy it. Enjoy your family and that precious time off of work and school. But don’t leave it at that.

Let’s just not forget why we have this season. Let’s not forget why we celebrate this baby and his birth. Let’s not let it just become “holiday” season. In the midst of all the wonderful traditions and hustle and bustle of the season, let’s not forget how blessed we are that the God of the Universe would become a helpless babe for us. That all of heaven watched in awe and anticipation of this baby and the redemption he was to bring and how hell and all of it’s minions were bent on destroying Him and all that hope that came with him. Lastly let not forget, this is a battle that isn’t over. This baby’s birth was just the beginning.