School Has Started

Well, we are back at school again. Both boys and myself. They seem to be adapting well to the new schedule. I'm currently studying Elementary Greek. It's different to be studying vocabulary words again on a weekly basis. It is even more different to not have english letters to study, but symbols that make up the Greek alphabet. We are learning the Greek of the Bible, not current day Greek, although our Prof. does incorporate some to make things light and interesting. It should be a fun and interesting 32 weeks as we learn to read the Bible in Greek.

Interview Complete

Well, last night at the interview everything went real smooth. I and my wife were pretty nervous. We arrived early and had to wait as the person being interviewed before us hadn't finished yet. So, after waiting about 25 minutes we were called in and the interview began. I was surprised at how few questions they asked me. I answered them all and then they asked my wife a few questions, then Pastor Don had to answer several questions. I was well please at how many nice things Pastor Don said about me. It made me feel accepted and that I was truly on the right path. After the interview my wife and I drove home and waited on the phone call to say whether or not they accepted my application. We received the call around 10:30pm last night and I have been accepted for licensing. The next step will be for the congregation to approve the license and then have a licensing service. The approval vote is currently scheduled for August 27th and then the licensing service is scheduled for October 8th. Thank you for the many prayers.

Licensing Interview

Well everyone, tomorrow is the big day, I have my Pastorial Licensing Interview with the district. I'm excited, nervous, and anxious. Lots of emotions, please keep me in your prayers as I go through this process. I should know fairly quickly if they have accepted my application. I'll keep you updated on the progress.

God bless all of you,

Brent

JR High Mission Trip

What a great time. I love work camps/mission trips. The JR High youth went to New Windsor, MD this year. It was very luxurious as far as work camps go. I mean we had beds and air conditioning. No floor to sleep on in 98 degree heat. I think we had it easy. Besides seeing some old friends, we made many new friends and had a great time serving the Lord and helping people from around the world. The New Windsor service center is a great experience. If you have never been, I would suggest that you give it a try. I was amazed at the amount of clothing that is processed there and shipped around the world. Also, there is a medical system there that ships medicine to Faith based medical facilities around the world to help the underprivileged. We also had the opportunity to work in the fair trade shop processing new items for sale. This facility tries to help villagers by purchasing their crafts at a fair price and helps them to become self sufficient. It was a true learning experience, one I will never forget. I'm hoping to be able to serve there again in the near future. May God continue His work through the staff and volunteers there in New Windsor.

Here are the web links to the organizations at the New Windsor Service Center
www.agreatergift.org
www.interchurch.org
www.brethren.org/genbd/nwcc
www.brethrendisasterresponse.org
www.brethren.org/oepa

Hockey Camp

Well, I have been out for 2 weeks now and just returned to work today. Lots of paper work to catch up on. But it was time well spent. My boy and I just finished a week at Hockey camp in Winona, MN. What an awesome time. 24/7 hockey (a great father/son week). It was a lot of work for him but he enjoyed every minute of it. He is so proud that he won the award for "Outstanding Effort" and I'm proud of him for his work. Hockey season is closely upon us. I'm looking forward to the new season and being able to coach my 2 boys this year.

1st New Post

Hey everyone,

I haven't posted in a while and thought that maybe I should start doing this blog thing again. I promise to try and be better. Just sometimes I get too busy and forget that I have this wonderful little site that allows me to ramble and vent. Well, NT 3 finishes tonight, I'm excited to have 6 weeks off before I start Greek 1 in the fall. Next week I will hopefully finish my pastoral documents for licensing. After this the district ministry committee will schedule an interview for my wife and I to go over the paperwork. Then the committee will vote to accept or reject my application to be a licensed pastor. Please continue to pray for me and my family as we go through the process, that God will continue to lead us, and show us His will for our lives.

God bless and keep all of you.

It's been a while

Hey everyone,
Sorry I haven't posted in a while but busy, busy, busy. It seems like all I do any more is study, work, and write papers. But only 4 more weeks to go and then things should slow down for me. I'm looking forward to it. Back to only one class. I am excited though that this week is our first Saturday night contemporary service at church. I'm really looking forward to this and continue to pray that it will be a huge success. May God be glorified through this ministry, and people's lives touched for Him. Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers as we struggle through the next 4 busy weeks.

God bless you all.

Trim Orientation is Finished

Well, I made it through the TRIM orientation and things are kind of packed in right now but I seem to be digging out at a steady pace. I will really be caught up in two weeks when hockey is finished. I do get to start New Testament II tomorrow which I'm looking forward to getting back to Bethel. Hope and pray all is well with my readers. Until next time.

Trim Day Two

Day two was packed with lots of activities. The workload doesn't seem to overwhelming anymore. We have had 3 class hours while here and things seem to be in better perspective. Thank you for all the prayers.

Trim Orientation

Trim Orientation has started today, and it will be pretty busy for the weekend but so far it's fun. I have met a group of people who are bonding and enjoying each other. The Lord works in good ways. We are learning together and learning from each other. I'm looking foward to working in our small groups over the next eight weeks where we get to explore the bible together.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Man, the next two weeks are go, go, go and go.... I don't know how to accomplish everthing I need to get done unless, maybe, ya I know give up sleep. I know it will all fall into place but I'm kind of depressed because I have to miss church for the next two weeks. I'm hoping that I can just be out this week and change my schedule for the 5th of March. I just miss hanging out with the youth. I really miss those guys. I'm starting to plan some big events for them though. I'm hoping to have an all youth weekend retreat soon, maybe go to a concert, and a few other really cool things. I'm also trying to put the finishing touches on the Saturday night service that we are starting in April. Still trying to figure out some of the audio/visual stuff. Well need to work. Later.

Hockey in Indy

Great weekend so far, my oldest boy's travel team went to Carmel and played two games. They tied the first game 2 to 2 and won the second game 3 to 2. The whole team played well and listened to the coach. The goalie Sam was awesome, he stopped 25 shots, 10 of which were break aways. We have enjoyed the weekend in Indy.

Hard Week

It's been a pretty hard week for homework and everything. I finished up Old Testament 1's homework a 10 page research paper, 5 page reflective paper, and 2-1page reading reflection papers. I now have to start to concentrate on New Testament II and the TRIM orientation homework. I should receive my books for the TRIM work tomorrow and the course work should be pretty intense. I'm looking forward to this but also a little bit nervous as I haven't taken 2 classes in an eight week period yet. But look out here it comes. Well I need to get to studying.

Youth Weekend

This weekend was a weekend full of youth activities. We started off Saturday night fininshing up our study on Ruth (Sr High), then the JR High youth met us at the church, for Ice Skating. We loaded up the Church bus and headed out to the Ice Box for 2 hours of skating. The kids loved it. In fact they are asking to go again, which is fine with me skating happens to be one of my favorite things to do.

Sunday started off with Youth classes at church as usual and then Sunday morning service. And of course we finished off Sunday evening with the traditional Super Bowl Party. Lots of food, games, and excitement.

It is just such a blessing to be able to hang out and enjoy spending time together with the youth of the church. I feel that the adults have so much we can learn from them and their new prospectives on life and they can learn so much from our experiences and knowledge.

Matthew 9:35-38

Today I thought that I would share with you one of my favorite scriptures.

35 Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.
37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
38 Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."

I decided, that I should let you think about this passage and what it means to you. If you would like to share please feel free to leave a comment.

Have a Blessed Day!

Old Testament Question

I was recently asked, Why do we need to read or study the Old Testament? The first thought that came to my mind was 2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." Ok, but how does that help us make sense of what we are reading and does this old stuff doesn't apply to my life today? I have recently started to explore the Old Testament more since I'm taking OT 1 in school and it is amazing that so much of the Old Testament helps us to understand the New Testament. Last night I was teaching JR High Youth on the sacrificial system of the OT and we were looking at all the different type and styles of sacrifices. But the offerings weren't there to save the people they were there for the obedience of the people. The sacrifices didn't cleanse the offender but covered them in the blood of the animal to hide their transgressions. That is why they continually needed to offer up sacrifices. We looked at how the heart was impure and the sacrifices became thoughtless and detestable to God. Later we discussed the greatest sacrifice of all time. Jesus dying on the cross for us, and how Jesus' blood doesn't cover us but cleanses us. May God bless all of my readers.

Trim Program

Great news, I have just been accepted into the Training in Ministry (TRIM) program for church. I'll have to jostle my schedule around to attend orientation but I'm really excited. God is so good to me and my family. I'm looking forward to this new challenge and to see where God will allow me to serve Him through this opportunity. Please pray for my family as I follow God's directions and allow them the patience and understanding they need. The schedule gets crazy sometimes. May God help me to balance work, school, TRIM, and family. I'm trying to stay focused on the family as I strive to serve Him in everything I do.

Saturday Night Service

I'm really excited and pumped up. We are starting a Saturday night contemporary worship service at church. It will begin on April 1st, and no its not an April fools joke, it's truly happening. So far people are excited about this service and volunteering to help. A major hurdle to jump sometimes. I will have to jostle SR. High Bible study around a little but the youth seem to be excited and willing to help in the service also. Their only concern was that I would be doing away with Bible study, but I'm not going to let that happen. If your free Saturday nights come and check us out. You will be able to access the information from the church web site very soon. Praise God for the wonderful opportunities He gives us to serve Him.

Well, here we go. I have been told that Blogging is the thing to do, so I've decided to give it a try. I don't have too much to say since I'm new at this and had to answer the questions in the profile (not yet done) but trust me when I have something to say you will know about it. Thanks for checking out my Blog. Brent