This is what I call self care. Every pastor needs to learn self care. It only recharges your battery and helps you regroup with the purpose of being available and ready for God to use you.

In church in the morning we celebrate the sacrament of baptism. It’s our first baptisms in the church since we’ve begun our relationship as pastor and congregation. What a joy and an honor to participate in kingdom work.

Found a bit of humor for the occasion…

A mother looked out a window and saw Johnny playing church with their three kittens. He had them lined up and was preaching to them. The mother turned around to do some work, but soon she heard meowing and scratching on the door.

She went to the window and saw Johnny baptizing the kittens. She opened the window and said, “Johnny, stop that! You’ll drown those kittens.”

Johnny looked at her and said with much conviction in his voice: “They should have thought of that before they joined my church.”  (from Mikey’s Funnies)

Seventeen years ago something amazing took place in the universe. God brought two people, opposites in so many ways, with something special in mind. Seventeen years this Saturday my wife Debbie and I give thanks to God for his love and grace in our lives. I remember the day I picked up the wedding rings. I wore mine all the way home. I know there were loved ones who wondered if it could or even would work? Lots of hope, prayer, and a who lot of trust in the one who promises that his plans are for a hope and a future. (Jeremiah29:11)

Three awesome children later, a mortgage, a couple of cats, a church to pastor, a teaching position, and a fish, we are still in the thick of things by God’s grace. We have experienced joy and struggle together and because of faithful friends who have loved us and role models who we have watched from afar in the church universal God has been faithful.

In nine months we get to usher some kids off to that next level in life called Jr. High and High School. With glee we get to overwhelm a six year old with oodles of love with hopes that he stays six just long enough before he too enters that world of adolescence and before we enter therapy asking, “what just happened here?”

Mrs. Wahe you rock my world and I am honored and blessed that you are my wife, my beautiful bride, and my friend. You are a gift from God and with joy I look forward to riding this wave of grace with you as we enjoy God’s blessings and help raise some pretty “Wahe” cool kiddoes.

Happy Anniversary Mrs. Wahe!!!

No more pinstripes.

(Pulpit rock in Norway)

This Sunday in church (in a few short hours) we move to a two service format. (8am & 10:30am) The last I church I was part of had two worship services. One “traditional” and one “blended.” The pastor did a wonderful job of leading both worship services. The lay helpers, the choir, and the praise team all had a hand in making the services a worshipful experience. My son says to me today, “dad, are you doing the same sermon twice?” My response, “I hope.” Say a prayer for us if you visit here on occasion and for those of you from church don’t forget to set your clocks back and don’t be late…hehe.

Welcome Joe!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk0WI_If2wE]

Thank you volunteers! We had bunches of kiddoes! It was awesome!