So, we are now a family of 5.  The new normalcy is settling in.  I’ve posted some precious photos and shared some cute sayings from the boys, but I’ve been asked a lot lately: ‘So, how are you guys really doing?”

Let’s see: we have a newborn over a month old, an almost-4-year-old, and a recently turned 4-year-old.  My wife has the enormous responsibility of managing 3 wild monkeys everyday.  I have a pretty involved job and the responsibility to have energy and drive once I get home to help out.

So, how are we really doing?
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I am honored to be leading North Side’s short-term summer mission team to West Africa.  Our team has begun to gather together weekly for prayer, discipleship, accountability, and preparation.  Recently, over lunch, we discussed at length this fact: Christian sightseeing is not missions!

Let me explain.  I think over the years, we have watered down missions so much that we classify doing anything that is overseas or with people of a different race or socioeconomic status as missions.  If you want to take a Christian vacation, go on one of those Christian cruises (don’t get me started…), but don’t go on missions to accomplish a vacation for yourself.

If you look at many job descriptions of mission trips these days, you will unfortunately see watered down job requests that ask Christians to do simple tasks in order that there is minimal exposure to the gospel.  Rarely do I see job descriptions that say, “Come and bring your church’s best evangelists to share the gospel.”  It is pass out this, pray for that, play with this, build a this, love on that – but apparently, many mission organizations hold it extreme to share the gospel.

It was confirmed to me when I went to get my immunizations for the upcoming trip.
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There are many needs in the world. You can’t do something about all of them, but you can do something about some of them. You can spend your life focused on confronting evil, pursuing justice, and loving mercy. Your life can potentially change the lives of others.

As you go through life, you probably resonate with certain needs more than others. We are each wired differently — that’s the beauty of the Body of Christ!  It’s best for each of us to specifically get involved in a need we are passionate about.
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Hopefully, you are connected with a local church. None of us should be left alone in this Christian walk by ourselves.  Your church is a wonderful expression of God’s grace, and while it is not perfect, it is God’s vehicle to make disciples.

You need your church, and your church needs you! Read Romans 12:3-8 to see your role concerning your church.

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Special day at North Side!  We had some info on promotion Sunday (June 3rd), family dedication with 9 families, great time of worship, great interview video on “who was Jesus,” and a wonderful message!  Jeff’s teaching on John 12 was so good.  So much to take in considering how we are to lay our lives down just as Christ was anticipating his sacrifice for us.

Today, we worshiped to:
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