Oasis Christian Fellowship : bethechurch

All-Stars Baseball vs. Church

This weekend begins a 4-week season of All-Stars Baseball for our 8 year-old son. Brock was actually selected to play on an All-Star team last year, but this year we have had more time to prepare and discuss all of the issues of being on a traveling all-star baseball team. The first and most obvious issue for a Christian family is the dilemma of every tournament being played on weekends. Typically the way an all-star tournament goes is like this: on Saturday all the teams play one another in a "round robin," and according to their records from those games they are seeded in a tournament, which is played on Sunday. The reason this can be a dilemma for Christian families is because tournament games are often played out of town, or could even be scheduled during the morning hours, the same time as most church worship gatherings.

I have chosen to title this article "All-Stars Baseball vs. Church" because it states the tension that so many Christian families have faced over the years of playing sports, taking vacations, going to band or cheer competitions, or any number of different community activities family members have been involved in. Traditionally, whenever anything caused us to consider missing a worship gathering or church meeting many families have been made to feel as though the event they were considering and the church meeting were two things that were against one another. Thus the title "All-Stars Baseball vs. Church." This brings up a very interesting conversation. One that I have been having for several weeks as this year's all-stars season has approached. There are a few other Christian families on Brock's team this year, and together we have been discussing this "dilemma," which has caused us to come up with some very creative ideas for how to help alleviate the felt tension among families who desire their children to be able to participate in other community activities while also honoring Christ and glorifying God in all they do. Here are some thoughts to consider.

Probably the most common answer to this dilemma is to simply state a hard line of right and wrong when it comes to church attendance. For instance, in my youth this question seemed to be a no-brainer: where a person was on Sunday morning was the ultimate test of their loyalty to Christ. Everyone who was truly committed to Christ was expected to be at church regardless, and would be considered a hero of the faith for making the choice to miss a baseball game in order to attend the church meeting.

The problem with that line of thinking is that it puts "being at the church meeting" at such an elevated proof or evidence of faith in Christ, when in fact there are many who attend church meetings faithfully yet have no faith. Therefore we must be careful of saying there is only one right answer to this so-called dilemma. To do so would be dangerously close to a legalistic view of church attendance, and could possibly lead someone down a similar path of the Pharisees, who praised such acts over true and living faith. As you have heard me say many times over the past 4 years, we are called to BE the church, and to live out our faith and glorify God wherever we happen to be, and in whatever we happen to be doing. I would rather see a person of active, living, daily faith in Christ miss a church meeting than see a person come to every meeting of the church but show no evidence of faith any other day of the week.

On the other side of this discussion is the fact that while it is important to live and be part of the world as believers in Christ, it is vitally important that we regularly gather with other believers in a community of faith for our strengthening, encouragement, and spiritual nourishment. To habitually neglect this at the expense of community activities or personal vacations is just as wrong.

As those of you who know me know, I am not interested in old legalism. I have missed church meetings here and there in order to attend games I am coaching or to be with my kids who are playing. But there is also something about the discipline of church attendance (actual participation in a family of faith—the kind of thing that gives Hebrews 10:24ff life!) that is vital. We believe that we’re forming a certain kind of person through such disciplines as this. And it is our hope that our children see our regular attendance at church meetings as not a ritual we keep, but a healthy part of the formation of our lives as believers in Christ.

Someone once attempted to quote me a couple years back and said they heard me say: “God doesn’t care whether or not you attend church.” I never recall saying exactly that, and I hope none of you have ever processed anything I have said in that way. The fact is, I do believe God is very interested in our commitment to be with other believers in a community of faith. What I do not believe is that He is keeping a record of church attendance, from which we will be rewarded as heroes of the faith.

I understand the frustration we have all experienced with old legalism. But we must also be just as careful to not say that this spiritual discipline, this matter of community, this place of being intentional about regularly worshiping and fellowshipping with our brothers and sisters in the faith, does not matter. It most certainly does.

I know that April and I want to be sure that the message we are sending to our children is that God is a priority in ALL of our lives, whether Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or etc. Church meetings are obviously a priority because we have created a regular habit of attending. But more importantly, they know that God is a priority because we have created regular habits of honoring God in a variety of ways: at meal times, at bed times, while driving in the car, while going to school, while on the gymnastic floor, while on the baseball field, etc. and etc.

We are most certainly thinking about priorities, and we are also thinking about the larger understanding of spiritual formation. Our deepest hopes for our son and daughter have nothing to do with playing baseball, cheerleading, or even going to church. Our greatest hopes for our children is that they will develop genuine, living faith in Jesus Christ.

Just 15 years ago, the decision to “miss church” for a ballgame would have been a no-no for me. As I have continued growth in age and in the Lord, I have grown to see church through the lens of relationship—being a way of life, a people—rather than a meeting that happens once a week at a particular place or building. BEING the church means that we are the church—and not a time slot on Sunday morning—which means being the church could happen at the baseball game just as well.

IMPORTANT: do not hear me saying, “Everything is church,” because I am a firm believer in attending regular assemblies with a common Christ-community for worship, Bible teaching, and communion. But these kinds of activities in our lives that we often deem as “in conflict” with church, I believe actually provide us opportunities to teach a deeper lesson about the essence of “church.”

This Sunday morning before I come down to our Oasis worship gathering I will be hosting an All-Star team worship gathering/Bible-study/prayer meeting at the shelter house in the park in Athens at 7:45am. Then, the team will play a game at 9:00am, which I will attend for the first hour. Then I will leave the rest of the game to my assistant coaches and drive down to be with my Oasis family and preach from James chapter 1. After that gathering I will go back to Athens and be with the team for the remainder of the tournament.

Choosing to be involved with the All-Star team the way we are (as a coach and having our son play) has provided us with some wonderful conversations with other brothers and sisters in Christ (who also have kids on the team) regarding church and faith in Christ, and it has even given me the opportunity to answer questions from some who are not yet believers in Christ. I am looking forward to how the next 4 weeks may in fact provide our family with an opportunity to be a witness for Jesus.

I pray that this article will be helpful as you process these kinds of things in your own family. I know that there are a number of varying opinions on these issues, and I respect others who may stand in a different place. Not everyone faces these kinds of issues. But if your family is one that is involved in sports or any kind of community, school activity or group in the world there is a good chance you will be faced with the same "dilemma" at some time or another. Just fill in the blank: "__________________ vs. Church." My hope is to convince you that it does not have to be a hard line one way or the other. Remove the "vs." from the title of this article, and replace it with an "AND." And... "whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).

More Gavin & Proud Family

More gladness. Nana Dreama, thanks for sending me these.

New Stewart Baby - Welcome Gavin McGwire

Born on May 22. He's 6 pounds, 1 ounce; 19 inches. Beautiful baby. Mommy and Daddy are doing well too (as you can see below). Grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, and cousins are all very excited (as you can see).

 

Backseat Bible Lesson

Normally on their way to school each morning April prays with and for the kids, but this morning their trip came complete with a drama and live sermon illustration along with their prayer. Here's how it went down.

Just down the road about a quarter of a mile from our house in The Plains there is a new home being built, and this morning the concrete was being poured. The concrete truck was in the road, taking up the lane April was driving in. But because it is not a busy road, April checked to see if any cars were coming, and when she saw there wasn't, she slowly began making her way around the concrete truck. Suddenly, she began to hear a man screaming and yelling his head off, using profanity and all sorts of colorful language, so she stopped. Apparently this fellow was on the sidewalk and he was there to direct the traffic, in plain clothes, with no flag or any signal whatsoever to indicate he was there to direct. So April rolled down her window and began apologizing, saying that she did not realize he was directing traffic. But this man continued his rant, calling my wife a barrage of inappropriate names while my 8-year old and 6-year old were sitting in the backseats listening. Finally, she drove off (albeit remembering the company name on the side of the concrete truck).

When she called me to tell me about it I asked her how the kids reacted. She said they were a little freaked out that he was calling her the names using the "F word" and "S-H word" as Brock put it. April herself wasn't affected much. She's become pretty resilient. After years of ministry she has learned to take insults well, so she's had plenty grains of salt. LOL.

The best part is what just happened a few minutes ago. When we went upstairs to read the Bible and pray with Brock and Kaylee I asked them to tell me about what happened this morning. Brock told me his version of the story, and then he said, "Mom prayed for that man on the way home from school today."

I asked, "Do you know why she did that?"

He paused for a moment, then said, "Because of the Golden Rule?"

"Well, sort of," I said. Then I opened up to Matthew chapter 5 and read these words:

"You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven."

I told him that the reason why his mother prayed for a man who shouted profane words at her and called her all kinds of awful names is because his mother loves Jesus and desires to honor him. And the way we can best honor Jesus is to do what he tells us to do in the Bible. If we really love Jesus then we will do what he says. It is common for everyone else to yell back, or to call names, or to try to have such a man fired from his job. But we are called to live and to behave differently from everyone else in the world. And when people see our actions and ask why, it gives us an opportunity to glorify God even more by sharing with them that He is the motivation for our desire to bless even though we have been persecuted.

So my kids learned a new word today (well, actually several new words, LOL). But the word I am talking about is "persecution." I know what they saw and experienced this morning is nothing compared to the persecution so many are facing in the world for Christ's name. But what they experienced did provide us with a lesson. And hopefully this little backseat Bible lesson will stick with them the rest of their lives, so that if and when they are faced with even stronger persecution, they will remember their mother's example.

Weekend Getaway Pictorial

April and I had a wonderful time together on our weekend in Cleveland. Here are few photos from the trip.

I love this picture of my beautiful wife. She wasn't ready when I snapped it, but it is one of my favorites.

This one was taken for my son, Brock. He loves Lebron.

The Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra. On Saturday night we saw them perform The Four Seasons by Vivaldi.

A little Irish pub in Port Clinton, where we had Sunday lunch.

A very old Baptist church building next door to our hotel. All the houses were covered with ice-cycles, some were 3-4 feet in length.

Notice the variety of items you can purchase at this one-stop shop. These are the stores you find only when you decide to take a short cut in the city.

Thank you, Oasis, for giving us this enriching and refreshing weekend.

A Snowy Sunday

Well, last Sunday was quite a morning. I was rather surprised at the number of you who trekked out through the weather to come to the Oasis gathering. If you were not there, we made an executive decision at the beginning of our gathering that we would just sing a few songs of worship together, read Scripture and share a time of communion. It was an intimate time, and we were finished by 10:45am. And it’s a good thing too, because by the time Timothy and I began to head back to Athens (around 12:00) the roads were in really bad shape. In fact, we were a little uncertain that we were going to make it home, as we came into Athens there were people in 4X4s sliding off of the road! We just prayed and kept a gentle foot on the gas pedal of my little Toyota. April, however, was stranded at Heather and Shawn’s house for most of the day. The kids did not mind, because they got to go sledding with their cousins and have hot chocolate and homemade pizza!

I hope everyone had a chance to relax and enjoy the first good snow we have had in nearly two years. This Sunday I will be picking up our study in Romans chapter 12. Please meditate on the first two verses this week, and ask God to begin speaking to you even before we gather together.

I have sent an Oasis NEWS email out earlier today with MUCH, MUCH news in it. If you do not receive those but would like to be added to our mailing list, just reply to this message below and I will add you, or you can email the Oasis inbox.

A Health & Nutrition Post

One of the things April and I have begun doing together recently is a common diet. For the past few years she has been a fan of the low-carbohydrate nutritional approach. I have only done the low-carb diet once, and that was three years ago. I remember that I really liked it, and for a number of different reasons:

1.  It helps me accomplish my goals. I remember that in January of 2003, which was when I first began the low-carb diet, I was 220 lbs and about 25% body fat. My supposed "ideal" weight for a 5'10, 31-year old man was 170lbs and less than 17% body fat. I set a goal to get under both of those, and within about 6 months I has accomplished both goals. By July I was weighing 170 and my body fat % was at 13.

Today I weigh 195 lbs and my body fat is 20%. That has increased from 3 years ago, not because of any fault of low-carb dieting, but because of laziness and poor nutritional decisions on my part.

2.  I love the "satisfaction" that low-carb nutrition brings. After the first couple of weeks (admittedly, those are the toughest days) it is amazing how few cravings and hunger pangs there are. I never realized just how "empty" simple carbohydrate foods are and how they induce more desire for eating even more of them and more regularly, until I cut them from my regular diet. The fact is, it is possible to live life and not have overwhelming desires for brownies and potato chips.

The reason this is such a good point is because most people do not get enough protein or enough green vegetables, which provide plenty of complex carbohydrates, in there normal diet anyway. While doing low-carb nutrition you definitely get plenty of both.

3.  I love the discipline it requires of me. Of all of my points, this is probably the greatest reason of them all for why I enjoy this diet. I know, it sounds a little strange. But here is how it works. God has created us all with a holistic purpose. We are not just physical beings, nor are we merely emotional or spiritual beings. We are all of the above. All of the above work together for maximum health of our beings. And we are to glorify Him in all of the above (that is the one that stings a little). Unfortunately, many people sacrifice one for the other. I, for several years, sacrificed my physical health for spiritual pursuit. I do not believe God was pleased about that. He created us in physical bodies, and I believe these bodies deserve some attention from us as long as we are still living in them.

But here's the funny thing about how these things all work together, at least in my life. Whenever I am lazy or neglectful of my physical being, I can always feel the effects of that neglect in my spiritual, intellectual, and emotional being. Conversely, whenever I am mindful or working on my physical being, it always has a positive effect on my spiritual, emotional, and intellectual being as well. One part spills over to the others, causing better health to the entire person. For instance, when I have disciplined myself to "say no" to certain foods, I find that it makes it easier to say no to temptations in other areas as well. In that respect, I love the discipline it requires of me.

4.  I love talking with people about the healthy aspects of the low-carb diet, and debunking the myths that surround it. This is probably the debating side of my personality revealing itself. Many people still feel that anyone who follows a low-carb nutritional approach to dieting is on fast-forward to heart-attack hell. Simply not true. Rather than rehash it all here, how about I give you a link where you can read the facts more thoroughly. The fact is, most people who speak out against low-carb dieting have never read anything themselves. Most of the concerns I usually hear begin with, "It just seems to me..." or "I would think that...". Well, is it possible in America we have been force-fed a lie about "proper" nutrition? Most of what drives anything anymore is the almighty dollar. Of course there are people out there who are going to tell you that cutting back on certain foods are unhealthy. Unhealthy for their wallets!

The other day I was talking with someone about this diet, and in the conversation I learned that this person was going to be following the Weight-Watcher's plan. Their comment to me was something like this: "The low-carb diet just seems so unhealthy to me." Then, in the same breath went on to tell me that in their Weight-Watchers diet they can eat "whatever they want." Hmmm. Whatever you want?! Which seems more unhealthy? Lots of chicken and other meats, tuna and other fish, healthy fats and and carbs (yes, fat... why have we always assumed all fat is unhealthy?) green vegetables, 64 ounces of water per day, etc... OR a combination of anything your stomach desires, just as long as you don't exceed your point allowance??? Although I am sure that was probably a misrepresentation of the Weight-Watcher's diet, as I do believe there is special attention given to cutting fats; still, from that person's understanding of it, it would be possible to be on Weight-Watchers, lose several pounds, but end up deficient in proper nutrients because they were "allowed to eat whatever they want." I think I'll take my chances with low-carb. And (as you will see in the article link I provided above), the primary thing that low-carb nutrition removes from your diet is unnecessary carbs, which Americans have tended to develop an unhealthy obsession with.

So, as you can probably tell, I have once again become a low-carb dieter. Already I can feel the difference. I'm not sure why I have written this post exactly. Perhaps to encourage you if God has placed it on your heart to develop better nutrition.

Oh, and by the way. Regardless of your diet, EXERCISE is a must. The number one reason for obesity is our sedentary lifestyles coupled with poor nutrition. Do not overlook the importance of exercise.

So, whatever you have decided to do this new year, stick with it!

Rocky for a New Generation

Brock and I have been counting down the days. Both of us can't wait to go see the new Rocky movie, Rocky Balboa, scheduled to be in theaters this Wednesday, December 20. I know some people are having fun at Stallone's expense with the release of the 60-year old Rocky Balboa who dares to step into the boxing ring for a sixth time. But I am glad he did it.

Watch this trailer and then tell me you don't get just a little bit pumped.

I remember the first time I ever saw Rocky and Rocky II. I was in elementary school, and after we bought our first VCR those movies became staples in my house. I had the soundtracks to all of the Rockys. Before every football, basketball, or baseball game I would watch Rocky III, and I would have the great comeback and music playing in my mind throughout the entire game. Then Rocky IV helped motivate me during the sporting years of high school and college. I love films that motivate and encourage. That's what the Rockys have done (well, perhaps not Rocky V, but even Stallone would like to forget that one; I even heard him admit in an interview with Dan Patrick this week that he made this final movie for the true fans of Rocky and Rocky II, because he felt he let them down with Rocky V). In a day when "reality" movies rule and it seems to be hip to have you leave the theater feeling confused or disoriented, we could use some fantasy entertainment that lifts the heart and motivates.

Yep, I've always been a Rocky fan. I thought the generations of Rocky had passed. But now it gets to live on. Now my eight-year old son is also a Rocky fan. Last week he watched the first three consecutively. I've been hearing the Eye of the Tiger and Gonna Fly High Now in my ears all week. I can't wait.

Yo!

Reforming Christmas

The other night during our Sunday, pre-bedtime, family devotions we were talking about Christmas, and I shared that I would like to pray that everyone in our church and in our own family would be able to see the only true meaning of Christmas this year, and that it would outweigh everything else we do, see, or even participate in.

I know, I know. Every year we say the same thing. But this year I can see a particular interest in my children to discuss this true meaning. So I described to them how Santa Claus, Rudolph, decorations, giving and receiving presents, etc. are all things that have nothing to do with the actual Christian holiday of Christmas. They are all things that have been added to the holiday—many of which as a means to celebrate the joy and anticipation that the holiday symbolizes, but the negative effect they have had on the holiday is that they have almost completely overshadowed the entire purpose for why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.

So I proposed a question to them. I asked, “What if we could have a do-over?” What if we could flip the switch on Christmas as we know it, and introduce a different, and better way to celebrate—one that is full of true joy and gladness, not the silly frivolity and careless gaiety most people settle for. To most people, Christmas is only a “season” of joy, which proves that it is not real joy at all. What do I mean by this? I mean that the supposed “joy” we experience at Christmas comes from things such as: warm memories, tradition, giving and receiving gifts, parties, cookies, decorating homes and trees, singing carols, etc. But what happens to many people when the “season” is over? It is well known that many people experience a depression of sorts after the holidays. In fact, some British scientists even did studies on depression and suicide, and discovered that January may in fact be “the most depressing month of the year.”

Does this happen to you? Is your joy “seasonal”? Is your joy contingent upon external circumstances or events, such as the events surrounding the Christmas holiday? If so, it’s time to look at reforming Christmas.

In John MacArthur’s book The Miracle of Christmas he tells a story of when he was in high school. He and a friend had been invited to a party. When they arrived, it was very dark and slow music was playing. Some couples were dancing, and some were in the corners doing other things, but everyone seemed to be locked in embraces. It wasn’t difficult to see what direction the party was headed. Neither of them really wanted to stay, but they suddenly had a better idea. They didn’t know if it would work, but it was worth a try. His friend looked at him and said, “Let’s change the complexion of this party.”

Next they went to the fuse box and flipped the switch that controlled the stereo. Everyone immediately got upset, but they didn’t exactly know what had happened. Then MacArthur and his friend appeared with an armload of games and led everyone into the living room. Some were so upset that they left, but most stayed. For the rest of the evening all those at the party had a great time playing games, and it turned out to be a great party.

What if we could do the same thing to Christmas? What if we could pull the plug on the world’s party, and introduce an even better way to celebrate? What if we could reform Christmas?

It would have to begin, of course, with realizing the true significance of Jesus’ birth. We would even have to reform all of the man-made, man-centered elements surrounding the nativity story, and ask ourselves, why was he born? If we all could see what Christmas really means, our immediate response would be worship.

Worship is probably the greatest missing element in the monstrosity that Christmas has become. I am not suggesting that there is anything inherently wrong with putting up decorations, giving gifts, spending extra time with our families, having parties and getting together with friends, or many of the other things we do to celebrate the holiday. Those things add to the joy of the season. But they must not—they cannot—provide the joy of the season. Here is where so many fall short. Apart from worship, these things are inadequate responses to the ultimate reality of the Savior’s birth. The first priority in all of our celebrating should be worship, and everything else we do should flow from our hearts of worship.

When this happens, the joy of the Christmas season is everlasting. It does not fade in January. True joy is not seasonal. Happiness, fun, and gaiety are seasonal, temporary emotions. But we are never commanded to seek those. We are commanded, however, to seek JOY in worshiping Jesus Christ as God.

If reforming Christmas means starting all over, then the obvious place to start is worship. But in saying that Christmas should be a time of worship, I am not suggesting that we eliminate everything except worship gatherings from our Christmas traditions and celebrations. I am just saying, let’s start over. And let’s let our worship dominate how we celebrate this holiday.

Let’s worship like the shepherds did in the nativity story. They dropped everything they were doing to attend His birth. There is a sense of urgency and determination in the way they came to Him. Furthermore, they shared the news with everyone around.

We can also worship like the wise men from the east did. They fell down and worshiped Him; and brought gifts and treasures to Him. We sort of do this. We give gifts to others at Christmas. Have you ever thought of giving Christ a gift at Christmas? How might this be done?

Another character in the nativity story, Mary, worshiped with quiet reflection. In the busyness and chaos of the holiday season, do you take time to meditate on Christ? Do you spend a few extra moments with your Bible open, allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to pour into your mind and heart as you soak in His Word?

The bottom line is that Christmas, like no other season in the calendar year, ought to overwhelm our hearts with gratitude and adoration. If that is not happening, then you are missing the whole point of Christmas. And truth be told, you should stop celebrating it altogether, flip the switch. Do something different, something that would bring out the worshiper in you; because that is exactly why you were created—to worship. And that is why Jesus came to earth and was born as a human baby boy—to reconcile us to God as the kind of worshipers He created us to be.

Without Jesus, we are worshiping something else. That is why Christmas has the potential to be nothing but massive idol-worship. Because if Jesus Christ—his birth, his life, his death, his resurrection, and his great commission for all to believe, be baptized, and taught to obey him—is not the central focus of everything that involves Christmas, then what are we worshiping? What are we celebrating? The definition of idol worship is anything in our lives that takes the place of the glory of God. The essence of evil and sin is to not attribute the worth, honor, and glory that God deserves to Him—essentially, robbing Him of His rightful glory. So we must ask ourselves of our Christmas celebrations, is there anything that takes the place of the glory of God? Do we bring Him gifts? Or do we rob Him?

This is a gut-check for all of us. Myself included. In our home we are praying about and discussing ways we can change the complexion of this holiday for our family. Why don’t we use the comment section to brainstorm ways we can all do this. What is your family doing?

Thankful for My Wife

I don't say it enough. That's why I really love this week. Each year it seems to remind me of so many things that I take for granted without saying "Thank you." And this morning I am just filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude toward the woman God so graciously gave to me over 13 years ago. April is the most unselfish, selfless woman I have ever met. She literally buys nothing for herself. Ever. It is a common cultural joke that a lot of guys make about their wives going shopping, spending money, etc. But mine is just the opposite. I have to practically make her purchase something for herself that is not a necessity. She has truly been my greatest human example of seeing Christ's nature: "considering others more significant than yourself," and "looking to not only your own interests, but to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4). That is a picture of my wife.

I'll use this week as an example. Last night after she made our dinner, took Kaylee to gymnastics, and put the kids to bed, she then went to the store and purchased bags and bags of food to cook. So, big deal, you may be thinking. It's Thanksgiving week, lots of wives are doing that. I know. And I am not trying to diminish others by complimenting my own. My point, however, is this. The bags of food she brought home last night were not for us. For the next three hours she cooked and prepared an entire meal for other families, one of which we will deliver this evening on our way to our Oasis house church party.

Two nights ago I walked into the kitchen after the kids had been put to bed, and I saw her at the table pouring over the Scriptures. I figured she was just getting a head start on her Sunday children's lesson, because she normally does her personal reading before she goes to sleep (like me). But she was not only reading, she was writing frantically as well. I kissed her and told her I would be upstairs doing some reading. About an hour later she came up and asked me to proofread a Christmas musical she had just written, some of which she is planning to teach to our kids at Oasis. Sometimes she gets these creative urges and just sits down and writes entire volumes of lessons or curricula. Amazing!

This is the woman God has given me. The Bible says that "a man who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord" (Proverbs 18:22). Well, God has certainly found favor with me and He has treated me as good as He could have possibly treated me by giving me April.

I love you, April. You are the most beautiful person in this world to me.