In response to Sandy Hook

I have spent the afternoon processing today's events, praying, loving on my children. I still do not have words to comprehend the depths of the tragedy in CT. My prayers and heart are with those who have lost loved ones. I find comfort in the reality that God the Father knows exactly what it feels like to lose a child, not just because of the death of Jesus, but because all those children killed

are His too. I am reminded of the words in 1 Corinthians 1:3-5:

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ."

Heavenly Father, as we seek to understand the reasons behind this tragedy, please comfort those who are experiencing unimaginable pain, sorrow and loss this evening. Surround them with love, your love, spoken in the hugs, tears, touches and support of friends and family. Comfort them in the days, weeks and months to come with Your abiding presence, Your restoring word and Your eternal hope, a hope that reminds us that death is not the final word and evil is not the victor. Lord, while we struggle to understand how this could happen we take courage from Your comfort that we are not alone and they are not alone. In the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, Amen

Speaking Dragon

Currently learning Dragon Naturally Speaking...thoroughly enjoying it and its useful and easy training methods.  Writing with it is a snap!

Changes in Fall

Starting this fall my role at Faith Community Church will be changing from Pastor of Care Ministry to Pastor of Spiritual Growth.  I am very excited about this change and look forward to how God might use me and others as we seek to encourage people to grow towards a Christ centered faith.

At the same time I am sad to leave the Care Ministry.  I am touched by the depth and love the ministry partners in Care show for those they care.  They are passionate, loving and joyful people who work with those in crisis and need.  they do it at personal expense and with little recognition.  I will miss working with them.

So, November 19th is a big day.  I covet your prayers as I will be taking that first week to pray and study God's Word for direction, inspiration and clarity about how I might lead this ministry.

Looking forward to the summer, especially with the boys as they grow older.  This year we are hanging in MA with camping, swimming, church and hanging out with friends as our planned activities.  It is going to be a good summer.

Holy Week

Holy week is one of the most focused and intimate times of the Christian Faith. As a church we are currently reading through John Piper's Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ. It is simply brilliant.

It cannot be read in a rush and it needs to be pondered on. Piper provides some great insight into the glory of Christ, his suffering and the reason for Satan's continued existence in a thought provoking manner. If you have not picked it up download it here

Have a wonderfully rich Holy Week and celebrate with effervescent joy this weekend.

God bless

Glee

I just finished watching the first season of Glee on NetflixWI. I know it is in the third season now, but I never quite watched it before. It is brilliant!

It captures many of the core emotional themes of teaching, adolescence, heartache, celebration and reality very well. It deals with the challenges of growing up in this modern world head on and powerfully, albeit from a distinctly non-Christian view. The music, choreography, plot, characters, costumes and sets are wonderfully done. The script is wonderfully put together. For me some of the most powerful moments are:

• Quinn's parents kicking her out - so amazingly acted and very heartbreaking.
• Artie's mob scene - well sung and choregraphed
• All of Sue Sylvester's character - she is just brilliant (some of the funniest lines ever), you love to hate her to love her.
• Rachel's voice
• Brittany's dancing
  

I look forward to a second season when it becomes available. Now I can get some sleep!

Catching Up

How bad is it to have a blog and never write on it? Well, bad...very bad!

So enough of that. It is now 2011 and it has been a full year. We visited South Africa earlier this year as a family, then I transitioned to a new job at First Congregational Church in Hopkinton as their new Pastor of Care and in the midst of this I contracted MRSA.

So the year has been filled with many highs and one or two lows, but overall the year has been great. Even the MRSA ordeal was an incredible growth time for me as I was able to experience first hand the generosity of those at FCCH, the wonderful care of the nurses and doctors at Framingham Union Hospital and the immense and God-honoring support of my wife and friends. I truly am surrounded by wonderful and loving people.

My transition to FCCH has been excellent. I love what I am doing and I thoroughly enjoy my role and contribution to the church. The church is wonderful with meaningful services, a dedicated staff, wonderful people and a solid commitment to caring for and reaching out to those in our community. Come check us out this Sunday, especially with a brand new series kicking off - Face to Face. Check out www.fcch.org for more info.

Door's Howls will be back soon with more movie reviews. I recently saw Battle LA and while very predictable the movie was a great action, shoot 'em up with Aaron Eckhart doing a great job in the lead.

The weather is now warming up and I am looking forward to some warmer and sunnier days.

Finally, Hammer and Chisel Inc, the non-profit I work with and help lead is bringing some students over to New York and Boston in April. It should be a good time as these students experience these two cities in ways they never would have before.

More to come!