Buttons and believers

One of those things you find out about after it happens and can see God's hands all over it.

The girls here at New Hope are learning to sew on Wednesday nights. Kinda cool that they'd acquire such an ancient skill, huh. :) Last week they were learning how to sew on buttons and they wound up doing that on two pieces of cloth that Bunny's going to send to the two girls our family sponsors through Compassion. Sean sponsors Ribka, a little girl in Ethiopia, and Bunny and I sponsor "Mookie", who lives in Rwanda.

So the work of little hands will soon be in... little hands. I love the idea of the hands of little girls here in Valparaiso Florida will be held by other little hands in Africa. Buttons and believers.

When Bunny and Sean were sitting in church Sunday, she told him about it and Sean sewed a button on too. Sponsoring Ribka in Ethiopia is something he did on his own. His mom and dad are very proud of the way he has found his own walk with Jesus. I pray the Holy Spirit delivers more than just fabric, thread and buttons to those two little girls. I pray He helps them find their way with Jesus too.

Everything we're doing at New Hope ought to be aimed at the same goal.

25 Years

One of the greatest honors I have ever been given is to have been called "Daddy."

To be able to work In God's vineyard of "training up a child" has been a great challenge and a greater opportunity. To capture all the joy that Sean and his big brother Adam have given me would be impossible to contain on internet pages.

My heart will only barely succeed.

And at times... I am unable to hold back the emotions.

My hope and prayer is that as Sean continues on his journey, he will develop even more as a man who knows the truth of God's love for him and lives in the light of it.

Oh and this just in telepathically from Bunny...

AND THAT HE GETS MARRIED AND GIVES US LOTS OF GRANDCHILDREN :)


Yeah, an older picture. We're both even better looking now. :)

One of Those Moments

Yesterday's worship set at New Hope included our version of "Nothing But the Blood" sung by our praise team with Juliet singing the verses and all of us singing the chorus.

During rehearsal, Bunny and Amy were in tears just thinking about the words to that old hymn. Bunny took some time to explain to the team (made up mostly of youth and kids) just what meaning the words have and should have for all of us regardless of age.

While we were singing the song, I was filling in on rhythm guitar and my son Sean was doing an amazing job with an innovative and emotional lead. He really is an amazingly talented guitarist who rarely gets a chance to show what he can do. It was so special to be sharing that moment with him.

I looked out over the congregation, and they were caught up in the power of the song as well. Maybe, just maybe, we can navigate the troubled waters of worship music as a congregation and not just make it through - but grow closer to God and each other while doing it.

What a blessing.