Conflict Resolution

I'm excited about a new message series that we're starting at Journey on the Beatitudes. I've been reading the two passages (one in Matthew and one in Luke) over the last few weeks, and again came across this passage, which immediately follows the Beatitudes:

Luke 6: 27-36

27 "But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don't hold back your shirt either. 30 Give to everyone who asks from you, and from one who takes away your things, don't ask for them back. 31 Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do [what is] good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do [what is] good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful."

I've had multiple opportunities lately to put this passage into practice--both with individuals and on corporate levels. It really never ceases to amaze me how far one will go in the choice to serve money (mammon) vs. God. People will absolutely sell out to make a buck, it seems. Even in those cases when I feel the most mistreated, I know that I am called to show mercy. To love. To give. To expect nothing in return. To do "the right thing", knowing that it will be used against me. And mostly--to trust God. He alone is the ultimate Judge in cases such as this, and there WILL BE a day of accountability for all actions. In the mean time, I again choose to follow God's clear counsel and trust Him for the outcome. So...I wait.

How To Get the Best Pizza Deal

So, Dominos ran their commercials one too many times for us to resist, so we just ordered their new recipe pizzas to try them out while watching my brother's kids for the evening (yes it gets crazy around here when our kids are together--yikes!). The big special Dominos has been advertising: 2 mediums for $5.99 each. Pretty good deal, right? However, while on hold to place the order, the automated message announced another special for our consideration: 2 extra larges and any bread order for $19.99 Also sounded like an OK deal.
Rookies would just try to guess which one would produce the most pizza for the buck. I'm no rookie. I needed to remember high school math equations that I learned from Mr. David Stockman NOW. Was that Pi r squared? What is Pi? Ugggh.
While searching quickly online for the correct equation to use, I found the solution that saved me: some guy named Abe More placed a pizza value calculator online, calculating the exact square inches of delicious pizza when you punch in a few basic numbers. By giving the size of the pizza (12 inch, 14, 16, etc.), and the amount you paid for it, the site will calculate for you the price per square inch of pizza. Click HERE to try it for yourself. It's quite simple, but is just what I needed.
So, the results? 2 extra larges was a significantly better deal, rendering a whopping 20.11 square inches of pizza per dollar (plus the breadsticks), vs the mediums, which came in at 18.85 square inches per dollar.
And was the new Dominos pizza good? Very.

Rose Bowl Parade vs Little Big Planet

So this morning, I thought it would be great for us to watch the Rose Bowl Parade together. I whipped up some breakfast first: oatmeal with raisins, cranberries, cherries, walnuts, maple syrup, butter, and a few other things (recipe credits to my dad--he sometimes puts things together that turn out really good...this one was!). After breakfast, we turned on the parade in spite of the fact that Noah really wanted to play a new video game that he received for Christmas--it's called "Little Big Planet." After going 'round and 'round about it for a while, he decided to try a different angle that he knew I would bite on. He was right:
Noah: "So dad, can we just turn this off and pray because God is more awesome than the Rose Bowl Parade."
Me: "Yes, He is. If we turned this off and prayed, what would you tell God?"
Noah: "I would pray that we could play Little Big Planet."
He's a smart one, that Noah. He's enjoying the adventures of Little Big Planet now.

Back With My Family

I've been in Columbus for the last week while my wife and 2 children have been in Richmond, VA. My mother-in-law had a relatively sudden surgery which triggered a number of dominos, including Jen and the kids staying down here after Thanksgiving for an additional week (all is well with my mother-in-law).
Coming back to my family was GREAT. Getting off the plane, I couldn't wait to see my wife and kids. When I finally saw them, I knew that they'd had the same feeling of anticipation. Everyone wanted me to sit by them in the minivan on the ride home (my wife won that one!). Everyone wanted a hug and kiss. Everyone wanted to tell me their stories (Noah won that one--evidently he's been creating a book of mad scientist inventions that you really don't want to be a part of...he's pretty scary for 8!).
Once we got back to Jen's parent's house, we had dinner with her family. Her brothers Andy and Ryan were over, and it was a lot of fun. The best part was little Morgen--she didn't leave my side all night. She constantly was telling me that she missed me. She said 3 times across the dinner table, "I love you, daddy." There was a moment when she stopped eating just to look at me for about a full minute (that's like an hour for a 3 year old). Her poppy got in her way at one point, and she just kept moving her head to be able to see me...she didn't want to lose focus. Later that night, she asked me to read her a story, then later to dance with her--I had her complete attention the whole evening.
As Jennifer and I were praying together later that night, I realized the parallel in my evening with the relationship that we are to desire with our Heavenly Father. As his children, we are to desire His affection and attention beyond anything else. We are to love Him and prioritize Him higher than anything else. More than success in business. More than dollars. More than that Christmas present that you are expecting and thinking about all of the time. More than all of the Christmas presents that you are acquiring to give to others. More than...well, more than anything.
Matthew 22:37 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. "

Thanksgiving Dinner

Turkey
Ham
Potatoes
Stuffing
Cranberry Sauce
Corn Pudding
Sweet Potato Casserole
Green Bean Casserole
Pickled Beets
Glazed Carrots
Rolls
Little Lemon muffin things

Chocolate Pie

NO macaroni and cheese (but I still survived...)

Thanksgiving in Richmond, VA today was a great time with Jen's family. We all have much for which to be thankful.

Yesterday

Yesterday would have been the 40th birthday of my good friend, Jim Hvisdos, who left this world nearly 7 years ago after a bout with cancer. Jim went to school with me at Liberty University, for whom we traveled the country together recruiting (with a great team of others, I might add). Really fun times.... I followed Jim to California to work at Big Valley Grace Community Church in Modesto, where he was the Jr. High Youth Pastor (and I was the worship leader). We had a blast goofing off together in staff meetings, golfing together, praying together and encouraging one another to press on.
Jim was a devoted follower of Christ, who loved God and loved people as well as anyone I know. He was an amazing example to the hundreds of young teens who looked up to him as a role model and leader...many of whom are serving God today because of his influence in their lives.
Jim passed away on Jan 7 (my birthday) as I was getting on a plane to go see him. He had been taken to the Cleveland Clinic here in OH for treatment. While I didn't get to see him that last time here on Earth, I can't wait to see him again soon in heaven. It will be a really good day.

New House Church in Powell

My friends John and Debbie Stickel (also members of Journey Church, Columbus) are taking the leap and starting a house church in Powell. Jen and I are just wild enough to hop in on the deal.
The first meeting will be tonight, where we'll just hang out and watch a movie together. For our future meetings, we hope to begin to look at our marriages, seeking God regarding what it means to be a loving, faithful, God-honoring spouse. Sound scary? Sound fun? Either way, you should join us. It will be worth it...

Beauty Will Rise

At the recommendation of a good friend, Aaron Conrad, I downloaded the new Steven Curtis Chapman CD, Beauty Will Rise. I'm listening to it now as I write. Only to the 6th song at this point, I'm absolutely blown away by this CD. I would recommend NOT listening to this for the first time while you're driving (unless you're able to easily pull over for a while when necessary).

Since the tragic loss of his daughter over a year ago, many have wondered how he and his family would respond, and countless people have prayed for this family. "Beauty Will Rise" is a glimpse of what God has done through this season in their lives.

I remember the time a doctor asked me why God would "let bad things happen to good people." This had been in regards to the premature birth and extremely difficult period that followed with my son, Noah. My response to the doctor was that somehow God is glorified and would be glorified through the situation, no matter how difficult it was for us to see or understand it. I was confident of the truth, although it was not easily visible at the time.

God is glorified through Steven Curtis Chapman, his family, and their response to this last year, by the help of our God.

Matt. 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Noah's Birthday Present

OK...so I'm a little late posting this, with Noah's birthday being nearly a month ago. That said, I wanted to let you in on one of Noah's birthday gifts. We went to a recording studio!! Noah was (of course) enamoured by all of the bells and whistles that my friend, Felix Weber, has available at his studio. Noah didn't hesitate to push all of the buttons, move the faders, play the instruments, etc. He even recorded his first song! It was really fun teaching Noah some of the basics in recording, song writing, producing, etc. Even better to have a master producer by my side helping me...thank you Felix!

In Memory of Grandma

Today was the memorial service for my loving grandma, Jenny Belle Ashcraft. Asked to write out some memories, this is what I came up with. It's been a good day.

"Grandma"

Recollections abound. I’m sure you recall too.
These memories of grandma—I’ll share some with you:
Food is a memory not quickly forgotten
Pot Roast, mac-n-cheese, and corn kernels for poppin’.
Pickled pig’s feet, ham salad and limburger cheese
That one’s for grandpa—smells horrible, you see.
Coffee is best when it’s been percolated.
Water cup’s on the sink if you need rehydrated.
Cheese spread with pimentos and liver with onions.
Fiddle Faddle as well, along-side the Funions.
Neapolitan ice cream in mugs, just don’t drop it.
I want the strawberry—give Tyler the chocolate.
Dr. Pepper and root beer were things not to touch.
Most people enjoy them—JennyBelle—not so much.
Now on to the games and a few other things:
Yahtzee and books made from clipped magazines.
Green light signals go—run as fast as you can.
Try to stop when red’s called. Good luck with that, man.
Gin Rummy and puzzles, and time on the swing
Choosing cars on Decoursey was quite the big thing.
Picking up twigs and leaves out in front of the house.
Hearing stories of grandpa, who just trapped a mouse.
Gathering seashells while off on vacation.
She’d send me a postcard, I’d read with elation.
Her necklace with gold flakes through glass I could see
When sermons at church weren’t of interest to me.
Music was always a thing well displayed,
From guitars to pianos, which everyone played.
Time for bed—brush your teeth. When you flush, shake the handle.
Wash your hands, then come watch scary movies with vandals.
Try to sleep after that as you stare at the wall.
That makes eyes go buggy—worst wallpaper of all.
We’d walk to Latonia—with a stroller for miles.
By Bob’s Five and Ten, and we’d get lots of smiles.
She came out to visit California’s Pacific
When we moved way out there—our time was terrific.
There are things we all miss and it seems so unfair,
That we’re now without, while she parties up there.
But it won’t be too long ‘til again we all meet,
And walk, looking for treasures, on an upgraded street.

Obituary from Cincinnati Post:

TAYLOR MILL, KY - Jenny Belle Ashcraft, 81, died Monday, Feb. 23, at Rosedale Manor, Latonia.
She was a homemaker and member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Her husband, Thomas Jewell Ashcraft, died in 1991.Survivors include her daughters, Linda Williams of Kenton County and Roxiena Hanks of Ryland Heights; sisters, Roxiena Cook of South Bend, Ind. and Mary Pat Van Denplas of Rock Rapid, Iowa; six grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 9-10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27, with service following at Swindler & Currin Funeral Home, Latonia. Burial will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Taylor Mill.
Memorials: Calvary Baptist Church Mission Fund, 3711 Tibbatts St., Latonia, KY 41015; or Campers for Christ, P.O. Box 15038, Covington, KY 41015.